The ATLAS Forward Detectors and their Physics Potential

In this document the forward detectors of the ATLAS experiment are presented, discussing the goals and requirements they have to fulfill and the status of the various projects in the view of the start-up of the LHC functioning. The importance of the measurement of the luminosity delivered by the machine is discussed, underlying the interplay between the different parts of the experiment needed to achieve the foreseen O(%) precision required by many physics analyses. The importance of a continuous relative luminosity monitoring is discussed as well, as a tool to ensure a proper quality of the data acquired. The ATLAS forward physics program is discussed in the light of the future detector upgrades under study, able to open additional fields on the overall physics potential of the experiment.