Results of the Nuclotron-M project

Abstract

The main goal of the Nuclotron-M project, approved in 2007, was formulated as follows: modernization of the main accelerator systems for reliable and safe operation of the Nuclotron as a part of the accelerator facility NICA (Nuclotron-based Ion Collider Facility) being constructed at JINR. Demonstration of heavy-ion beam acceleration (with atomic mass number higher than 100) as well as safe and stable operation of the main superconducting system operation at a magnetic field of up to 2 T had been defined as criteria of successful project fulfillment. Another very important issue is performance of stable, long-term beam runs and increase of the accelerated beam intensity. All the main goals of the Nuclotron-M project had been successfully achieved by the end of 2010. In this report we give an overview of the project realization chronology and present the main experimental results obtained at LHEP Nuclotron accelerator facility in the period from 2007 to early 2011.