OPERA: setting the scene for ντ appearance at CNGS

Abstract

After setting-up and target filling, OPERA is about to start its full-scale data taking. Good performance in previous short runs is reported, showing a rich physics output, event by event, based on high-resolution tracking, prompt/non prompt lepton identification and kinematical analysis. Observation of ντ interactions, tagged by τ decay, as a direct signal of ν oscillation in appearance mode, could be within reach already this year, as the long-baseline CERN facility, CNGS, is scheduled to send soon again neutrinos towards the Gran Sasso Lab.