The

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 its 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 (MoBos)
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 !