The LHCb upgrade: plans and physics potential

LHCb is performing a large number of world-class precision measurements in heavy flavour physics. However, yet by the end of the LHC Run 2, many of these measurements will remain limited by statistics, even though adding the expected integrated luminosity of 5 - 6 fb−1. The main obstacle preventing LHCb to run the present detector at higher luminosities, with enhanced trigger efficiencies, is the current 1 MHz readout system limitation. The detector will therefore undergo a major upgrade in the Long Shutdown 2 (2018 - 2019) aiming at collecting an order of magnitude more data by 2028. The upgrade consists of a new readout system operating at the LHC bunch crossing rate of 40 MHz. The data acquisition system will exploit the ultimate flexibility of a software trigger. The instantaneous luminosity will increase to 2×1033 cm−2s−1, five times higher than presently. In order to cope with the higher expected occupancies and radiation doses several sub-detector upgrades are underway. The physics potential of LHCb shall improve considerably, as will be discussed.