Observation of beauty and quarkonia with the upgraded ALICE at the LHC

ended

Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) predicts that at very high temperature and densities, ordinary matter undergoes a phase transition leading to a state of matter known as Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP). The Properties of QGP can be investigated by heavy-ion collisions provided by the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN. The A Large Ion Collider Experiment (ALICE), the devoted experiment to investigate heavy-ion collisions at the LHC, is going through a substantial upgrade in 2019 and 2020 which is crucial to elucidate the properties of QGP by allowing the measurement of challenging probes like low pT heavy-flavor particles and quarkonium states and their coupling with the medium. HeavyQGP has the following scientific objectives: 1) perform analysis of ALICE data for quarkonia and beauty production; 2) ensure the quality of RUN3 ALICE data at forward geometries; 3) explore novel applications for the ALPIDE sensor; 4) operate the Muon Forward Tracker; 5) apply Open Science concepts at ALICE. HeavyQGP explores an innovative combination of expertise provided by the fellow (CPU architecture, computational physics, and nuclear instrumentation) and by the hosting institution (central involvement in ALICE Experiment and its upgrade) which improves the career prospects of the researcher while also supplying the host institution with key competences to initiate a high performance computing group on its premises and to fulfill its commitment to the ALICE upgrade program. A relevant secondment at CERN will offer the opportunity to the researcher to hold an active and prominent role in the ALICE experiment: System Run Coordinator for the MFT. This secondment will allow the high level implementation of the developments performed at the hosting institution, ensuring the continuity and dissemination of the action results. HeavyQGP will offer a set of training activities that will enable a consistent implementation of the project while reinforcing the leadership abilities of the fellow.