Level 2 Filtering for the PHENIX Experiment at RHIC

During the recently completed Run 5 of the PHENIX detector, located on the RHIC ring at BNL, the collaboration began recording data from the 200GeV polarized proton-proton beam. Throughout the run, multiple triggers were used to sort through the data to tag various rare probe events, such as a heavy di-muon event signifying the probable decay of a J/$\Psi $. The level 2 filters were primarily used to isolate these events from the raw data. This filtering system allowed the collaboration a unique opportunity to view the data emerging from the best polarized proton collisions to date in near-real-time. This is a definite advantage in that problems can be identified quickly and results can be produced within 48 hours of data-taking. Significant work was done with respect to the monitoring, maintenance, and improvement of this crucial subsystem which resulted in more efficient uses of resources.