The Electron Ion Collider (EIC) being built in the United States will be a next-generation research centre in the field of nuclear and elementary particle physics. It will enable the study of the three-dimensional structure of nucleons through so-called exclusive processes. Dr hab. Jakub Wagner, professor at the National Centre for Nuclear Research (NCBJ), will head the Polish team which, as part of the NCN EAGER IMPRESS-U project, will study phenomena that are key to the American accelerator.

The Electron Ion Collider, which will be constructed at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), will enable the collision of high-energy particles, particularly electrons and protons. During these collisions, so-called exclusive production processes of particles such as photons or mesons may occur. Studying the processes of their formation, as well as their decay into further particles, provides information about the three-dimensional structure of the nucleon. The project "EAGER IMPRESS-U: Investigation of the three-dimensional structure of nucleons through exclusive processes at the EIC" will focus in particular on Compton scattering processes and the production of J/ψ mesons decaying into a pair of leptons. As part of a trilateral collaboration, in which the Polish group is led by dr hab. Jakub Wagner, Prof. NCBJ from the Theoretical Physics Division, scientists will conduct detailed studies of exclusive processes.

- The planned construction of the EIC collider in the USA is directly related to the subject of my research. In particular, how the properties of the proton result from the complex interactions of quarks and gluons and what its three-dimensional structure is. This can be compared to a kind of ’proton tomography" in which we try to look inside it. However, a thorough analysis of future EIC results requires quantum corrections in electromagnetic interactions to be taken into account, and the IMPRESS-U programme allows us to combine the experience of the NCBJ group in describing exclusive processes with the achievements of our American and Ukrainian partners in calculating such corrections - explains dr hab. Jakub Wagner.

The project involves calculations of basic processes, including electromagnetic radiation corrections, as well as computer simulations for future measurements. The research will result in the development of theoretical foundations and tools that will enable the analysis of data from collisions at the EIC. Part of the activities will also involve the training of early-career scientists. The project will include international workshops that will enable the creation of new scientific networks and cooperation focused on the Electron-Ion Collider research programme.

The project "EAGER IMPRESS-U: Investigation of the three-dimensional structure of nucleons through exclusive processes at the EIC" is funded under the National Science Centre's IMPRESS-U competition: International Multilateral Partnerships for Resilient Education and Science System in Ukraine.