NA61 status and plans Preliminary spectra for T2K 2009 run CERN November 30, 2009 Preliminary spectra for T2K 2009 run Ion beams for NA61 Other issues

Preliminary pion spectra

2009 physics run Data taking period: July 26 – November 16 Aim: high statistics data for: - T2K: p+C and p+(T2K RT) at 31 GeV/c - cosmic-ray: π+C at 158 and 350 GeV/c - CP, OD: p+p at 10-158 GeV/c Registered in 2009: p+C at 31 GeV/c p+(T2K RT) at 31 GeV/c pion+C at 158 GeV/c pion+C at 350 GeV/c p+p at 20 GeV/c p+p at 31 GeV/c p+p at 40 GeV/c p+p at 80 GeV/c p+p at 158 GeV/c p+p at 10 GeV/c were not registered due to insufficient beam quality

2009 run history MD – Machine development MP - Machine problems TC - Target Change BC - Beam Change

2009 run: neutrinos p+C at 31 GeV/c 6M events p+(T2K replica target) at 31 GeV/c 4M events

2009 run: cosmic-rays π+C at 158 GeV/c 5M events π+C at 350 GeV/c

2009 run: strongly interacting matter p+p at 158 GeV/c 4M events p+p at 80 GeV/c 4M events p+p at 40 GeV/c 6M events p+p at 31 GeV/c 3M events p+p at 20 GeV/c 2M events

Progress in 2009 on detector upgrades for runs with ion beams Projectile Spectator Detector: -construction of modules in progress, -successful tests of the read-out electronics and integration with the NA61 DAQ, -expected to be ready for 2011 He beam pipe: -technical design ready, -construction of the the prototype and installation test to be started soon, -expected to be ready in 2011 NA61 PSD super-module

Progress and plans in data taking for CP&OD Addendum 5 NA61 ion program Pb+Pb NA49 (1996-2002) Xe+La 2014 Ar+Ca 2012 B+C 2010/11(13) p+p 2009/10 p+Pb 2011/12 10 20 30 40 80 158 energy (A GeV)

Searching for the critical point 10A GeV Xe+La Ar+Ca p+p B+C p+p In+In 10 20 30 40 80 158 energy (A GeV) Search for the hill of fluctuations Discovery potential

? Study the onset of deconfinement Search for the onset of the horn Xe+La ? Ar+Ca B+C p+p 10 20 30 40 80 158 energy (A GeV) 10 20 30 40 80 158 energy (A GeV) Search for the onset of the horn in collisions of light nuclei Precision measurements following the NA49 discovery

The NA61 revised data taking plan FR test-1 secondary (FR test-2) primary (secondary) primary

Timely approval of the NA61 ion program by the RB SPSC recommendations The SPSC notes that secondary light ion beams can be used for atomic weights up to and including Boron, but that primary beams are required for the heavier ion species necessary to complete the proposed NA61 program. The SPSC recommends that the necessary preparations for a secondary Boron beam be started in 2010, and that an energy scan with this Boron beam be performed as soon as technically possible. In addition, the SPSC also supports carrying out the necessary preparatory work for possible energy scans with primary beams of heavier ion species in timely manner. Timely approval of the NA61 ion program by the RB is necessary for its proper execution The NA61 ion program is the most important and ambitious part of the whole NA61 program with a significant discovery potential. Its further delay may stop the NA61 development (grants, experts, students, ...) and significantly decrease the chance for its success.

Other issues New CERN safety rules and running with ion beams lead to numerous safety issues, CERN support is required to establish the NA61 Safety File and execute the required safety procedures NA61 software modernization, virtualization and work on data preservation are urgently needed, CERN support required: collaboration with the CERN VM project and a NA61 person at CERN dedicated to the project Further work on the PSD and He-beam pipe upgrades requires help of the CERN technical support groups (project reviews, participation in safety issues, installation, tests and assembling at CERN), Using present experience of Joachim Bachler, PH DT (previous NA49) the discussion on the corresponding working packages started. CERN support to these projects is mandatory