The CMS silicon strip end cap tracker: Overview and status

While module mass production has started in 2004, the detector construction has entered its hot phase this Spring. The silicon modules are assembled onto substructures, which in turn are integrated into the end cap structures. The detector design, the challenges and experiences of a silicon module mass production of unprecedented scale, the status of the integration of modules onto the detector substructures are introduced as well as the construction and integration of the end cap structures. The excellent performance of the substructures as observed in system tests and test beam experiments are presented.