sPHENIX is a new detector at RHIC.

[David Morrison <morrison AT bnl.gov>]

Dear sPHENIX collaborators,

We've had a number of open discussions in the collaboration about how we might respond to the call by the EIC project for expressions of interest. The most recent of these were a pair of well-attended two hour long meetings on July 22 and 27.  As always, the collaboration rose to the occasion and aired and discussed a wide range of ideas, which was very useful. 

In our discussions several themes emerged.  It is natural for there to be a consortium that explores the resources in IP8 as an EIC experimental base and the benefits of pursuing EIC science there.  Such a consortium should also highlight the strengths and track record of the institutions joining this effort and their expertise in areas of detector development covered by the EoI call.  Finally, while it was pointed out that such a consortium might naturally draw on “in house” resources, it was very important to engage strong institutions and groups associated with JLab and other medium experimental programs invested in EIC detector designs.

Over the last weeks, we had further discussion with institutions and groups, including several not part of the RHIC program, expressing their interest in a consortium formed around these themes.

    To kickstart the preparation
      of an EoI on behalf of this emerging consortium, the current plan
      is to set up an editorial board of a few people, drawn from inside
      and outside the RHIC community, to coordinate further discussion
      and the development of an EoI document describing the possible
      contributions to EIC detector development by the various
      institutions, the connections to related efforts, and the value of
      the IP8 infrastructure to the EIC program.  We have identified
      several extremely capable people willing to serve on this board
      and to shepherd the process forward.  With the EoI deadline
      approaching, time is of the essence and we expect this process to
      accelerate in the next weeks.  As with other EIC consortia, we
      will make sure all groups are welcome to participate and to
      indicate their association with this effort in addition to any
      other plans they may have. 
      
      Regards
      Dave and Gunther
-- 
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