CASTOR: Centauro and strange object research in nucleus-nucleus collisions at LHC

We describe the CASTOR detector designed to probe the very forward, baryon-rich rapidity region in nucleus-nucleus collisions at the LHC. We present a phenomenological model describing the formation of a QGP fireball in high baryochemical potential environment, and its subsequent decay into baryons and possibly strangelets. The model explains the Centauro events observed in cosmic rays and the long-penetrating component frequently accompanying them, and makes predictions for the LHC. Simulations of Centauro-type events by means of our Monte-Carlo event generator CNGEN were done. To study the response of the apparatus to new effects, different exotic species (DCC clusters, Centauros, strangelets and so–called mixed events produced by baryons and strangelets being the remnants of the Centauro fireball explosion) were passed through the deep calorimeter. The energy deposition pattern in the calorimeter appears to be a new clear signature of the QGP state.