Letter of intent for ALICE 3: A next-generation heavy-ion experiment at the LHC

TL;DR

ALICE 3 is a proposed next-generation detector upgrade for the LHC aimed at advancing the study of strongly interacting matter through high-precision measurements in heavy-ion collisions.

Contribution

This paper introduces the design and physics goals of ALICE 3, a major detector upgrade for the LHC to enhance heavy-ion collision studies.

Findings

Design features enable high-precision tracking and particle identification.

Expected to significantly improve data quality and measurement capabilities.

Supports high readout rates for comprehensive physics analysis.

Abstract

This document describes the plans of the ALICE Collaboration for a major upgrade of its detector, referred to as ALICE 3, which is proposed for physics data-taking in the LHC Run 5 and beyond. ALICE 3 will enable an extensive programme to fully exploit the LHC for the study of the properties of strongly interacting matter with high-energy nuclear collisions. The proposed detector layout, based on advanced silicon sensors, features superb pointing resolution, excellent tracking and particle identification over a large acceptance and high readout-rate capabilities. This document discusses the proposed physics programme, the detector concept, and its physics performance for a suite of benchmark measurements.