RHIC Physics
RHIC is the first machine in the world capable of colliding ions as
heavy as gold.
The Spin Puzzle
RHIC is the world's only machine capable of colliding beams of polarized
protons to investigate the 'missing' spin of the proton.
Electron-Ion Collider
A breakthrough accelerator could collide electrons with heavy ions or
protons at nearly the speed of light to create “snapshots” of the force
binding all visible matter.
Accelerator Science
Before high-speed packets of heavy ions can be brought into collisions
with one another, they first travel through a chain of smaller particle
accelerators.
An Educational Pipeline
Large-scale physics facilities like RHIC play a significant role in
training the next generation of physicists.
Detectors The Eyes of RHIC
Four detectors -- STAR,
PHENIX, PHOBOS, and
BRAHMS -- help physicists analyze RHIC particle collisions. These
detectors electronically record the results of collisions,
seeking insight into what happens when quarks are
liberated from their atomic nuclei.
PHENIX Detector
STAR Detector
PHOBOS Detector
BRAHMS Detector