TOTEM physics

The TOTEM experiment (Total Cross Section Elastic Scattering and Diffraction Dissociation at the LHC) will measure the total pp cross section at the LHC by measuring separately the elastic and inelastic rate. The TOTEM experimantal apparatus accounts for two inelastic telescopes and two Roman Pot stations equipped with the leading proton detectors. The detectors will be placed in the forward region of the CMS experiment. An extensive joint program for the study of the diffractive physics is under preparation by the TOTEM and CMS collaborations.