LHC physics: the first one--two year(s)

TL;DR

This paper outlines the strategy for commissioning the LHC experiments, calibrating detectors, and preparing for physics analysis during initial operation phases at 14 TeV.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive plan for detector calibration, Monte Carlo tuning, and early physics goals before and during initial LHC data collection.

Findings

Calibration procedures for ATLAS and CMS detectors

Preparation of Monte Carlo simulation tools

Early physics analysis goals with initial data

Abstract

We discuss the strategy to commission the LHC experiments and understand standard physics at sqrt{s}=14TeV before data taking starts and in the early phases of the LHC operation. In particular, we review the various steps needed to understand and calibrate the ATLAS and CMS detectors, from construction quality checks, to beam tests, to cosmics runs, to first collisions. We also review the preparation and tuning of Monte Carlo tools, and present a few examples of physics goals for integrated luminosities of up to a few inverse fb.