Performance of the new vertex detector at SLD

During the past year, the SLD collaboration completed the construction and began the operation of a new vertex detector (VXD3) employing 307 million pixels. This detector, based on 96 CCDs of 13 cm/sup 2/ area each, is an upgrade of the original vertex detector of SLD (VXD2), made possible by advances in the technology of CCD detectors. Its improved impact parameter resolution, larger solid angle coverage and virtually error-free track linking will enhance the SLD measurement of the polarization-enhanced forward-backward asymmetry for b and c-quarks, increase the precision of the measurement of the b-fraction in hadronic Z decays, and open the possibility to observe B/sub s//sup 0/-mixing. Full separation of primary, secondary and tertiary vertices is accessible. A description of the mechanics and electronics of VXD3 are presented along with results from the first data.