Upgrade of the ALICE Detector

The ALICE experiment is optimized for heavy ion collisions and takes data in proton-proton collisions to obtain comparison data and to study specific measurements exploiting the detector features like the low p(T) cut-off and the particle identification capabilities. The LHC shutdown foreseen for 2017/18 will allow to address the upgrade of several sub-detectors, in especial the inner tracking system (ITS), the installation of a new forward calorimeter (FOCAL), the extension of the muon spectrometer (MFT -Muon Forward Tracker) and the installation of a detector with enhanced particle identification (VHMPID). An increased rate capability of the largest detector in ALICE, the time projection chamber (TPC), is also under investigation. Furthermore, it is foreseen to improve the data acquisition and high level trigger systems (DAQ and HLT) to achieve more bandwidth and to use more sophisticated and complex triggers. Currently the collaboration is studying the different detector upgrade proposals and prepares a global upgrade plan. This contribution will present the different upgrade projects under study for the ALICE experiment. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier B.V. Selection and/or peer review under responsibility of the organizing committee for TIPP 11.