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WA85 was a fixed-target particle accelerator experiment conducted at CERN. The aim of the experiment was to detect signals of the production of the Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP), in the form of enhanced production ratios of strange and antistrange matter.

The experiment was housed in the West Experimental Area at CERN (hence the "WA") and the initial proposal was submitted in 1985. Data was primarily collected in the early 1990s. In common with several West Area projects this was known as an "Omega" experiment owing to its use of the Omega superconducting magnet.

As is common with CERN experiments, WA85 was a collaboration between multiple European institutions. These included the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom, College de France, the University of Athens, the University of Trieste, and the University of Bari. Personnel from CERN played key roles in all of the experimental, data processing, engineering aspects.

The spokesman for the experiment was initially Emanuele Quercigh of CERN, and latterly David Evans of Birmingham University.

Theoretical basis for WA85

Experimental layout

Trigger logic

Progress of the experiment

Notable people involved All experiments at CERN involve considerable physical labour effort to set up and construct the detector apparatus and trigger logic and WA85 was no exception. Under normal operation a "software" team would operate the data acquisition side, including the recording of event data to tape, and a "hardware" team would maintain the integrity of the physics detector apparatus. A standing joke was that the software team would wash their hands after a visit to the toilet, whilst the hardware team would do so before.

Emanuele Quercigh led the experiment from the CERN side, supported by Bernard French and Ken Knudson who led on the data processing.

John Kinson led the UK team, and was replaced on his retirement by David Evans.

Georgios Vassiliadis led the Athens team for the duration of WA85; his untimely death robbed the physics community of a great mind, a tremendously funny individual, and a deeply warm human being.

Bruno Ghidini led the Bari team for many years. Amongst his students was Maria Girone who is now CTO of CERN OpenLab.

Publications