MICE step I: first measurement of emittance with particle physics detectors

The muon ionization cooling experiment (MICE) is a strategic R&D project

intending to demonstrate the only practical solution to prepare high

brilliance beams necessary for a neutrino factory or muon colliders.

MICE is under development at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (UK). It

comprises a dedicated beam line to generate a range of input emittance

and momentum, with time-of-flight and Cherenkov detectors to ensure a

pure muon beam. The emittance of the incoming beam is measured in the

upstream magnetic spectrometer with a sci-fiber tracker. A cooling cell

will then follow, alternating energy loss in Li-H absorbers and RF

acceleration. A second spectrometer identical to the first and a second

muon identification system measure the outgoing emittance. In the 2010

run the beam and most detectors have been fully commissioned and a first

measurement of the emittance of a beam with particle physics

(time-of-flight) detectors has been performed. The analysis of these

data should be completed by the time of the Conference. The next steps

of more precise measurements, of emittance and emittance reduction

(cooling), that will follow in 2011 and later, will also be outlined.