The approach of PHOBOS
Large coverage for charged multiplicity (without PID) on event-by-event basis
Coverage of low pt at mid rapidity (with PID)(Temperature characterisation)
Charged to neutral ratio measurement
Since the physical signal is a priori unknown requires an unbiased way of taking data (Þ high rate capability)
Ready to go from the very beginning of RHIC beam
Designed conservatively for simplicity and flexibility
Uniform technology: Silicon micro strip/pad detector
Ref.: C.Halliwell A comparison of RHIC experiments