The CMS silicon strip tracker

With more than 15,000 silicon strip modules and an active silicon area of 200 m2, the Compact Muon Solenoid silicon strip tracker will be the largest silicon tracker ever built. While module mass production has started in 2004, the detector construction has recently entered its crucial phase with modules being assembled onto larger substructures, which in turn are being integrated into the tracker barrel and end-cap structures. s presentation the detector design will be introduced. The challenges and experiences of the silicon module mass production, with focus on the key components such as sensors and hybrids, will be presented. The status of the integration of modules onto the detector substructures, as well as the construction and integration of the large barrel and end-cap structures will be described. Finally, an overview will be given on the excellent performance of subsystems of the tracker as demonstrated by system tests and test beam experiments.