sPHENIX is a new detector at RHIC.

[David Morrison <morrison AT bnl.gov>]

    Hi all,
    
    Thanks go out to Carlos Perez for taking notes at the general
    meeting.
    
    Regards
    Dave and Gunther

    Minutes of March 3rd biweekly sPHENIX general meeting
    ================================================
    Next meeting will be held on
        March 17th at noon ET.
    
    
    Agenda Items:
    - sPHENIX news (Dave &
        Gunther)
    - Project news (Ed)
    - MVTX proposal and physics
        goals (Ming)
    - “Moderate forward upgrade”
        (Nils & Christine)
    - Luminosity and rate
        expectations (Jamie)
    
    
    Discussion and
          action items:
    
    
    sPHENIX news (Dave &
        Gunther)
    ============
    
    
    Discussion with Berndt
        Müller after QM about several scenarios of funding and the MAPS.
        He advised us that sPHENIX should be planning for a multi-year
        program. Berndt has talked publicly about 4 years; Tim Hallman's
        RHIC Users' meeting slides show sPHENIX running from 2022 to
        ">2025".
      
    
    
    This new “degree of freedom”
        is an opportunity to develop a commissioning and upgrade plan.
    
    
    Separate MAPS from
        baseline detector. This will minimize risk during CD1 review.
        MAPS would have a compelling case providing HF. Even as a
        separate proposal, doesn't necessarily mean MAPS won't be ready
        on day-1
      
    
    
    Q. from Tony: Would the
        removal of MAPS weaken the physics case for sPHENIX?
    A1: CD0 was worded in a very
        general way so goals will not be compromised by exclusion of
        MAPS at this stage. 
      
    A2: Although, CD1 is not
        about physics goals but rather cost and schedule, we need to
        show that the non-HF part of the proposal have to be done with
        baseline anyway.
    A3: The use of MAPS is
        central for HF and we have to defend as part of upgrade with a
        solid presentation of the upgrade ASAP. 
    
    
    Action agreed to
          be taken: Simulation of baseline detector only is needed
        ASAP.
    
    
    Results from
          poll: Next collaboration meeting will be held June
        13th,14th (Tue, Wed) at BNL. Just before the PAC meeting (Jun
        15th, 16th). 
    Action
          suggested: If you want to host following collaboration
        meeting (end of year), encourage you to let us know.  
      
    
    
    Action taken:
        Have asked C-AD through Berndt for C-AD estimates of projected
        luminosities beyond 2023.
      
    
    
    Project news (Ed)
    ============
    
    
    Preparation for CD1. Just
        had a very successful preparation workfest at BNL with L2 and L3
        managers. Documentation is now centralized in the docdb server
        (set up recently). A lot of detailed material gathered that
        needs to be further reviewed and completed.
    
    
    Have received authorization
        to release R&D funds on sPHENIX.
    Q. from Tom: Can we use it
        right away?
    A. Let me come back to you
        early next week about this.
    
    
    MVTX proposal and physics
        goals (Ming)
    ============
    
    
    Preparing for review.
    Q. from Dave: MVTX proposal
        ongoing, Is it planned a coordinating effort with HF topical
        group? How do you want to do this?
    C. Gunther: MAPS proposal
        will not be baseline. Need to adapt this part of the physics
        case into a broader physics program that include b-tagged jets
        and current open questions regarding open HF. Very little
        capability of HF with baseline proposal (dielectrons?), we
        should focus HF case with usage of MVTX.
    
    
    Action agreed to
          be taken: Jin will organize a meeting to start
        construction of framework for fast simulation of openHF in order
        to get physics plots.
    
    
    Q. from Ed: Are you planning
        an internal rehearsal (before BNL directors’) for the MVTX
        proposal?
    A: Yes. At the moment we
        need to focus on preparation. Simulations are already happening.
        We also plan to hold cost/schedule workfest in coming weeks.
    
    
    “Moderate forward upgrade”
        (discussion led Nils & Christine)
    ============
    
    
    C. Christine: Very important
        to define time and cost.That will allow us to make a solid plan
        in terms of physics and not of beam availability.
    
    
    Action agreed to
          be taken: Ask what time scale and money ‘scale’ Berndt has
        in mind and how the proposal should be presented.
    
    
    C: Might be easier to report
        direct cost and no labor, etc.
    
    
    Luminosity and rate
        expectations (Jamie)
    ============
    
    
    C: Very provocative
        extrapolations and very informative presentation. 
    
    
    Next step needed:
        Survey among L2 manager to have an expectation of subsystems
        response to coming luminosities.
    
    
    C. Jin: Due to physical
        dimension of detectors. Eta coverage for primary vertexes beyond
        10cm reduces quickly and should be considered regarding the
        planning of physics topics.
-- 
David Morrison  Brookhaven National Laboratory  phone: 631-344-5840
                Physics Department, Bldg 510 C    fax: 631-344-3253
                          Upton, NY 11973-5000  email: dave AT bnl.gov