The ATLAS SCT: from end-cap module assembly to detector operation

The semiconductor tracker (SCT) forms part of the ATLAS inner detector and comprises 4088 silicon microstrip detector modules. It will measure charged particle tracks produced in the 14 TeV proton-proton collisions at the LHC by providing four space point measurements within a pseudorapidity range of |eta|<2.5. The design and assembly of the 2000 recently completed modules for the end-caps of the SCT are reported here. The procedures used for their quality assurance are described and the main results presented, showing a low loss rate during assembly of only 7%, half the allowed contingency. The 2004 combined test beam is then used to illustrate how the DAQ and offline software are being prepared for ATLAS operation