Heavy ion collider NICA at JINR

Abstract

Main scientific goal of the NICA/MPD project (Nuclotron-based Ion Collider fAcility/ Multi Purpose Detector) under construction at JINR (Dubna) is exploration of the phase diagram of strongly interacting matter in the region of high compression. The planned experimental program includes studies of possible signs of the phase transitions and critical phenomena in heavy ion (up to Au) collisions at the center-of-mass energies up to 11 GeV/u. The collider experiment provides optimum conditions for efficient energy scan measurements. Attainment of the required average luminosity of the order of 1027 cm-2·s-1 for such physics experiment faces several accelerator physics and technology challenges. Contrary to high energy colliders, the luminosity of NICA case will be mostly limited by the Laslett tune shift, while the beam-beam tune shift parameter will be negligibly small. Flexible operational procedures for the beam storage and short bunch formation have been developed to provide maximum peak luminosity over wide energy range. Beam cooling is critical to counteract luminosity decay due to intra-beam scattering. NICA collider design addresses these issues and satisfies all the requirements for the colliding beams experiments.