The Top Quark: Past, Present, and Future
It was 10 years ago at the Tevatron that the first
evidence was seen for the top quark. As nature’s heaviest known elementary
particle, this object may provide a unique window into new physics
processes. After reviewing early
searches for the top quark, I will discuss the difficulties in observing such a
heavy object and how these were overcome by the CDF and D0 experimenters. Finally I will review what we know today
about top quark properties and what the prospects are for the future.