Investigation of hadronic matter at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider

Hadronic matter at very high energy densities is investigated. The present experimental effort is focused on a search for a new quark-gluon plasma phase expected to occur when temperatures of 240 MeV are achieved. Instrumentation for several unique signatures is being developed to exploit the first operation of the Fermilab Tevatron Collider in 1986. The capital projects funded under this contract are a 240-element trigger hodoscope array, and a segmented photon detector. For these projects $172K are requested for the period 1986 February 1 through 1987 January 31 to complete the trigger hodoscope, and $160K for the period 1987 February 1 through 1988 January 31 to construct a portion of the photon detector. These figures are as presented in the original proposal. Due to budget constraints on the Fermilab experimental support program, we will not be able to receive the full complement of necessary electronics from the Fermilab PREP pool in the required period. Consequently, an additional $35K is requested for the period 1986 February 1 through 1987 January 31 for a portion of the electronics for the 240-channel trigger hodoscope. For the same reasons, Fermilab cannot provide the required magnet on schedule; a one year delay is proposed. As this would seriously impact our physics goals, the collaboration is attempting to fund the magnet without delay through the universities. Efforts to date have concentrated on the design and testing of the hodoscope. Extensive measurements on the radiation levels and effects during the various accelerator cycles have been made. These data are essential to the proper selection of scintillator and design of electronics. These tests are now complete, and final construction is beginning.