The Adventures Of TOP D0G ! and Dr. Mikie Tartaglia

1. The Adventures Of TOP D0G ! and Dr. Mikie Tartaglia Sketches from the Field during the Tevatron Collider Run 1 Search for the Top Quark at DZero (known for its historical association with “D0Gs” – and something of an “underdog”), from the perspective of one scientist engaged in detector calibration, data acquisition, triggers, commissioning, operations, and electro-weak analysis: the drawing equivalent of “Doggerel”. 1990 – My introduction to D-Zero, integrating old wire chambers at the Test Beam into a new trigger framework/DAQ system and learning the new matrix organization, complete with cryptic acronyms and “logical” names. Early on, commissioning systems with cosmic rays, it was clear to me that superhuman efforts were required to get all the new harware and software systems completed and working together on a tight schedule. Fortunately, the DZero collaboration was a superposition of many heros and heroines whose high levels of energy, talent and cooperation combined to accomplish superhuman feats, and got the jobs done. In “Captains Coor-age-us”, the Dutch Captain Slog (Weerts) takes the helm of a barely seaworthy ship, while Top D0g is already working on the upgrade. Early systems in the control room were a beast to control, but the GURU struggles over owl shifts (and conquers the “Shanghai” dragon). Finally, Roll-In to the collision hall is a time for celebration (and party poster). Jim Christenson (Columboss) takes command of the collider detector commissioning efforts. GEEK (Global Experts Expanding their Knowledge) Data Acquisition system training requires discipline, practice, and superhuman skills; meanwhile Tiger Teams arrive at Fermilab, and some Top D0gs are assigned as escorts. As a member of the team studying Level 2 Triggers, Algorithms for selecting Electrons with good efficiency were the subject of many meetings and hard work. Here I tried to capture the intensity of the L2 Filter group leader (Jim Linnemann) during one of those meetings. Getting the state-of-the art, high rate data acquisition system all together and working was a great challenge – it often seemed to have a mind of it’s own, and certain personnel were critical to the effort. Here Dave (Cutts) is depicted struggles with the “NAL 4000” system in a scene that imagines the unavailability of one of those critical people or groups. (Other frequent control room denizens also shown). The demise of the SSC sent a shock wave through the HEP community – how could this happen? Ian Manning, deputy Operations leader who played a major role in DZero assembly and success, leaves for new challenges elsewhere as DZero begins steady running It was my great fortune and honor to host a colloquium by Victor Weisskopf at Fermilab in January 1994. During a video interview with Adrien Kolb, I had a half hour in which to try and capture his enthusiastic spirit in this sketch. Framed in an actual candidate Dzero Top Event, Top D0G delivers the Top and its Mass – which is at the heart of the matter. In this design for a discovery Tee shirt, a hidden symmetry principle is adopted: the Pursuit of Truth is achieved through a combination of Perfection of Theory, Precision of Technology, and ultimately Protons on Target, to give us an insight into the mind of GOD. Completed series of Muon system upgrades (MoBo’s) and radiation shielding installation provide an excuse for a collaboration celebration (MAD Scientist theme) Dzero is now a finely tuned machine with fast track data filtering and analysis to identify Top Quark candidates !