Search

Heavy strange objects (hyperons) can provide essential signatures of the excited and compressed baryonic matter. At NICA, it is planned to study hyperons both in the collider mode (MPD detector) and the fixed-target one (BM@N setup). Measurements of strange hyperon polarization can give additional information on the strong interaction mechanisms. In heavy-ion collisions, such measurements are even more valuable since the polarization is expected to be sensitive to characteristics of the QCD medium (vorticity, hydrodynamic helicity) and to QCD anomalous transport. In this analysis, the possibility to measure at BM@N the polarization of the lightest strange hyperon Λ is studied in Monte Carlo event samples of Au + Au collisions produced with the DCM-QGSM generator. It is shown that the detector will allow to measure polarization with a precision required to check the model predictions.

This paper presents the results of experimental determination and computational simulation of the independent cross sections of 178m2 Hf production in nat Ta and nat W thin targets irradiated by mono-energetic proton beams in the energy range from ∼ 0.04 up to 2.6 GeV. The cross sections were determined using the γ -spectrometry technique without chemical separation of irradiated samples. The obtained experimental results were compared with the results of simulations based on the modified CEM03.03-ext intranuclear cascade model, which allows to analyze both the cross sections of residual nuclei production and the probabilities of long-lived isomeric states formation. Verification of the isomeric yield calculation model was demonstrated based on experimental data on high-spin isomer production cross sections in 208Pb target irradiated by protons.

The yields of long-lived nuclear fragments at an angle of 3.5° that originate fromthe fragmentation of carbon ions with an energy of T 0 = 0.6 GeV per nucleon on a berylliumtarget were measured in the FRAGMexperiment at the ITEP TWA heavy-ion accelerator. The momentum spectra of these fragments cover both the fragmentation-maximum region and the cumulative region. The respective differential cross sections change by about five orders of magnitude. The momentum distributions of fragments in the laboratory frame and their kinetic-energy distributions in the rest frame of the fragmenting nucleus are used to test the predictions of four models of ion–ion interactions: BC, INCL++, LAQGSM03.03, and QMD.

We study the energy dependence of global polarization of $\Lambda$ hyperons in peripheral $Au-Au$ collisions. We combine the calculation of vorticity and strange chemical potential in the framework of kinetic Quark-Gluon String Model with the anomalous mechanism related to axial vortical effect. The earlier found effect of helicity separation implies the quadrupole structure of longitudinal vorticity. We pay special attention to the temperature dependent contribution related to gravitational anomaly and found that the preliminary RHIC data are compatible with its suppression discovered earlier in lattice calculations. The antihyperons polarization is excessing that of hyperons and the difference is more pronounced at smaller energies.

The polarization of hyperons due to axial chiral vortical effect is discussed. The effect is proportional to chemical potential squared and is pronounced at lower energies in baryon-rich matter. The polarization of antihyperons has the same sign and larger magnitude. The emergence of vortical structures is observed in kinetic QGSM models. The hydrodynamical helicity separation receives the contribution of longitudinal velocity and vorticity implying the quadrupole structure of the latter. The transition from the quark vortical effects to baryons in confined phase may be achieved by exploring the axial charge.

One of the main tasks of the NICA/MPD physics program is the study of the strangeness production in nuclear collisions. In this paper the MPD detector performance is presented for measurements of K 0 -mesons, $$\Lambda (\bar \Lambda )$$ -hyperons and hypertritons in central Au + Au collisions at NICA energies.

We extend the cascade-exciton model (CEM), and the Los Alamos version of the quark-gluon string model (LAQGSM), event generators of the Monte Carlo $N$-particle transport code version 6 (MCNP6), to describe production of energetic light fragments (LF) heavier than $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ from various nuclear reactions induced by particles and nuclei at energies up to about 1 TeV/nucleon. In these models, energetic LF can be produced via Fermi breakup, preequilibrium emission, and coalescence of cascade particles. Initially, we study several variations of the Fermi breakup model and choose the best option for these models. Then, we extend the modified exciton model (MEM) used by these codes to account for a possibility of multiple emission of up to 66 types of particles and LF (up to $^{28}\mathrm{Mg})$ at the preequilibrium stage of reactions. Then, we expand the coalescence model to allow coalescence of LF from nucleons emitted at the intranuclear cascade stage of reactions and from lighter clusters, up to fragments with mass numbers $A\ensuremath{\le}7$, in the case of CEM, and $A\ensuremath{\le}12$, in the case of LAQGSM. Next, we modify MCNP6 to allow calculating and outputting spectra of LF and heavier products with arbitrary mass and charge numbers. The improved version of CEM is implemented into MCNP6. Finally, we test the improved versions of CEM, LAQGSM, and MCNP6 on a variety of measured nuclear reactions. The modified codes give an improved description of energetic LF from particle- and nucleus-induced reactions; showing a good agreement with a variety of available experimental data. They have an improved predictive power compared to the previous versions and can be used as reliable tools in simulating applications involving such types of reactions.

Momentum spectra of all long-lived fragments from 12 C fragmentation at 3.5° have been measured. Differential cross sections span up to five orders of its magnitude. The preliminary results are compared with predictions of two transport codes: INCL++ and LAQGSM03.03. Both models give a good description of the data except few items which are discussed.

Results of analysis of the effective mass spectra of photon pairs produced in dC, dCu and pC interactions at momenta of 2.75, 3.83 and 5.5 GeV/c per nucleon, respectively, are presented. A structure at effective mass of about 38 MeV/c2 is observed. The results of testing the observed signal are presented. The test results support the conclusion that the observed signal is the consequence of detection of a particle with a mass of about 38 MeV/c2 decaying into a pair of photons.

In relativistic ion collisions there are excellent opportunities to produce and investigate hyper-nuclei. We have systematically studied the formation of hypernuclear spectator residues in peripheral heavy-ion collisions with the transport DCM and UrQMD models. The hyperon capture was calculated within the potential and coalescence approaches. We demonstrate that even at the beam energies around and lower than the threshold for producing Lambda hyperons in binary nucleon-nucleon interactions a considerable amount of hypernuclei, including multi-strange ones, can be produced. This is important for preparation of new experiments on hypernuclei in the wide energy range. The uncertainties of the predictions are investigated within the models, and the comparison with the strangeness production measured in experiments is also performed., 24 pages, 11 figures. Submitted to Phys. Rev. C

Along with $ \pi^{0}$ and $ \eta$ mesons, a resonance structure in the invariant-mass spectrum of two photons at $ M_{\gamma\gamma} = 360 \pm 7 \pm 9$ MeV is observed in the reaction $ d C \rightarrow \gamma + \gamma +X$ at momentum 2.75GeV/c per nucleon. Estimates of its width and production cross section are $ \Gamma = 64 \pm 18$ MeV and $ \sigma_{\gamma\gamma} = 98 \pm 24^{+93}_{-67}$ μb, respectively. The collected statistics amount to $ 2339 \pm 340$ events of $ 1.5\cdot 10^{6}$ triggered interactions of a total number $ \sim 10^{12}$ of $ d+C$ interactions. This resonance structure is not observed in the $ \gamma$ $ \gamma$ channel in $ \sim 10^{11} p+ C$ collisions at the beam momentum 5.5GeV/c . The result obtained in the reaction $ d+ C$ is confirmed by the second experiment carried out on the deuteron beam at momentum 3.83GeV/c per nucleon with a copper target: $ M = 382 \pm 13$ MeV, $ \Gamma = 62 \pm 37$ MeV and $ \sigma = 273 \pm 75$ μb. Some results on the observation of the resonance in the invariant-mass spectra of two $ \pi^{0}$ mesons are presented: the data obtained in the $ d+C\rightarrow \gamma+\gamma + X$ reaction is confirmed by the results for the $ d+C\rightarrow \pi^{0} +\pi^{0} + X$ and $ p+C\rightarrow \pi^{0} +\pi^{0} + X$ reactions; a preliminary estimate of the ratio $ Br(R\rightarrow\gamma\gamma)/Br (R\rightarrow\pi^{0}\pi^{0})$ is $ (1.8-3.7)\cdot 10^{-3}$ . Further studies of this resonance is assumed at the Nuclotron/NICA at higher setup acceptance, which will allow to elucidate the nature of this resonance by determination of the differential cross sections at different beam energies in the range 1-6GeV/n and the mechanism of its formation.

We study the structure of vorticity and hydrodynamic helicity fields in peripheral heavy-ion collisions using the kinetic quark-gluon string model. The angular momentum conservation within this model holds with a good accuracy. We observe the formation of specific toroidal structures of vorticity field (vortex sheets). Their existence is mirrored in the polarization of hyperons of the percent order.

We study vorticity and hydrodynamic helicity in semi-peripheral heavy-ion collisions using the kinetic model of Quark-Gluon Strings. The angular momentum, which is a source of P-odd observables, is preserved with a good accuracy. We observe formation of the specific toroidal structures of the vorticity field. Their existence, accompanied by the strange chemical potential, is mirrored in the polarization of hyperons of the percent order.

Along with $\pi^0$ and {\eta} mesons, a resonance structure in the invariant mass spectrum of two photons at M{\gamma}{\gamma} = 360 \pm 7 \pm 9 MeV is observed in the reaction d + C \rightarrow {\gamma} + {\gamma} + X at momentum 2.75 GeV/c per nucleon. Estimates of its width and production cross section are {\Gamma} = 64 \pm 18 MeV and $\sigma_{\gamma\gamma}$ = 98 \pm 24 {\mu}b, respectively. The collected statistics amount to 2339 \pm 340 events of 1.5 \cdot 10^6 triggered interactions of a total number ~ 10^12 of dC-interactions. The results on observation of the resonance in the invariant mass spectra of two $\pi^0$ mesons are presented: the data obtained in the d + C \rightarrow {\gamma} + {\gamma} reaction is confirmed by the d + C \rightarrow $\pi^0$ + $\pi^0$ reaction: $M_{\pi^0\pi^0}$ = 359.2 \pm 1.9 MeV, {\Gamma} = 48.9 \pm 4.9 MeV; the ratio of Br(R\rightarrow{\gamma}{\gamma}) / Br(R\rightarrow$\pi^0\pi^0$) = (1.8 {\div} 3.7)\cdot10^-3.

The MultiPurpose Detector (MPD) is designed to study heavy-ion collisions at the Nuclotron-based heavy Ion Collider fAcility (NICA) at JINR, Dubna. Its main components located inside a superconducting solenoid are a tracking system composed of a silicon microstrip vertex detector followed by a large volume time-projection chamber, a time-of-flight system for particle identification and a barrel electromagnetic calorimeter. A zero degree hadron calorimeter is designed specifically to measure the energy of spectators. In this paper, all parts of the apparatus are described and their tracking and particle identification (PID) parameters are discussed in some detail.

Along with π0 and η mesons, a resonance structure in the invariant mass spectrum of two photons at M γγ = 360 ± 7 ± 9 MeV is observed in the reaction dC → γ + γ + X at momentum 2.75 GeV/c per nucleon. Estimates of its width and production cross section are Γ = 63.7 ± 17.8 MeV and σγγ = 98 ± 24 −67 +93 μb, respectively. The collected statistics amount to 2339 ± 340 events of 1.5 × 106 triggered interactions of a total number ∼1012 of dC-interactions. This resonance structure is not observed in pC collisions at the beam momentum 5.5 GeV/c. Possible mechanisms of this ABC-like effect are discussed.

The polarization of Λ hyperons due to axial chiral vortical effect is discussed. The effect is proportional to (strange) chemical potential and is pronounced at lower energies in baryon-rich matter. The polarization of ¯ has the same sihn and larger magnitude. The emergence of vortical structures is observed in kinetic QGSM models. The hydrodynamical helicity separation receives the contribution of longitudinal velocity and vorticity implying the quadrupole structure of the latter. The transition from the quark vortical effects to baryons in confined phase may be achieved by exploring the axial charge. At the hadronic level the polarization corresponds to the cores of quantized vortices in pionic superfluid. The chiral vortical effects may be also studied in the frmework of Wigner function establishing the relation to the thermodynamical approach to polarization.

The recoil properties of the product nuclei from the interaction of 3.65 GeV/nucleon protons and deuterons with $^{118}Sn$ target have been studied by the method of catching foils on the beams of LHE JINR. The mathematical formalism of the standard two step vector model was used for the analysis of experimental results. The obtained results for the protons are compared with the ones obtained for the deuterons. The total energy of the deuterons beam was 3.65GeV/nucleon. It is interesting to note that the forward velocity v and the recoil nuclei kinetic energy increases linearly with the increase of mass loss of target $\Delta A$, but seems to change its slope at around $\Delta A=60$. It seems that light and medium mass products are produced partly by a fragmentation mechanism., Comment: 7pages, 3 figures, 2 tables. to be submit to "Nuclear Physics A"

In order to meet the challenges of new accelerator and space projects and further improve modelling of radiation effects in microscopic objects, heavy-ion interaction and transport physics have been recently incorporated into the MARS15 Monte Carlo code. A brief description of new modules is given in comparison with experimental data.

The developmental version of MCNP5 has recently been extended to provide for continuous-energy transport of high-energy protons. This enhancement involves the incorporation of several significant new physics models into the code. Multiple Coulomb scattering is treated with an advanced model that takes account of projectile and nuclear target form factors. In the next version, this model will provide a coupled sampling of both angular deflection and collisional energy loss, including straggling. The proton elastic scattering model is also new, based on recent theoretical work. Charged particle transport in the presence of magnetic fields is accomplished either by using transfer maps from the COSY INFINITY code (in void regions) or by using an algorithm adapted from the MARS code (in void regions or in scattering materials). Work is underway to validate and implement the latest versions of the Cascade-Exciton Model and the Los Alamos Quark-Gluon String Model, which will process inelastic nuclear interactions and generate secondary particles.

The CEM2k and LAQGSM codes have been recently developed at Los Alamos National Laboratory to simulate nuclear reactions for a number of applications. We have benchmarked our codes against most available measured data at incident particle energies from 10 MeV to 800 GeV and have compared our results with predictions of other current models used by the nuclear community. Here, we present a brief description of our codes and show illustrative results to show that CEM2k and LAQGSM can be used as reliable event generators for space-radiation-shielding, cosmic-ray-propagation, and other astrophysical applications. Finally, we show the use of our calculated cross sections together with experimental data from our LANL T-16 compilation to produce evaluated files which we use in the GALPROP model of galactic particle propagation to better constrain the size of the CR halo., 10 pages, 9 figures, LaTeX, talk given at the World Space Congress 2002, 34th COSPAR Scientific Assembly, Houston, Texas, USA, 10-19 October 2002, to appear in Advances in Space Research

Multiple emission of intermediate-mass fragments has been studied for the collisions of p, $^4$He and $^{12}$C on Au with the $4\pi$ setup FASA. The mean IMF multiplicities (for the events with at least one IMF) are saturating at the value of $2.2\pm0.2$ for the incident energies above 6 GeV. The observed IMF multiplicities cannot be described in a two-stage scenario, a fast cascade followed by a statistical multifragmentation. Agreement with the measured IMF multiplicities is obtained by introducing an intermediate phase and modifying empirically the excitation energies and masses of the remnants. The angular distributions and energy spectra from the p-induced collisions are in agreement with the scenario of ``thermal'' multifragmentation of a hot and diluted target spectator. In the case of $^{12}$C+Au(22.4 GeV) and $^4$He(14.6 GeV)+Au collisions, deviations from a pure thermal break-up are seen in the energy spectra of the emitted fragments, which are harder than those both from model calculations and from the measured ones for p-induced collisions. This difference is attributed to a collective flow., Comment: 33 pages 15 figures, accepted in Nucl. Phys. A

Heavy strange objects (hyperons) could provide essential signatures of the excited and compressed baryonic matter. At NICA, it is planned to study hyperons both in the collider mode (MPD detector) and the fixed-target one (BM@N setup). Measurements of strange hyperons polarization could give additional information on the strong interaction mechanisms. In heavy-ion collisions, such measurements are even more valuable since the polarization is expected to be sensitive to characteristics of the QCD medium (vorticity, hydrodynamic helicity) and to QCD anomalous transport. In this analysis, the possibility to measure at BM@N the polarization of the lightest strange hyperon Λ is studied in Monte Carlo event samples produced with the DCM-QGSM generator. It is shown that the detector will allow to measure Λ polarization with a precision required to check the model predictions.

The Compressed Baryonic Matter (CBM) experiment at FAIR will play a unique role in the exploration of the QCD phase diagram in the region of high net-baryon densities, because it is designed to run at unprecedented interaction rates. High-rate operation is the key prerequisite for high-precision measurements of multi-differential observables and of rare diagnostic probes which are sensitive to the dense phase of the nuclear fireball. The goal of the CBM experiment at SIS100 (√sNN = 2-4.9 GeV) is to discover fundamental properties of QCD matter, namely, the equation-of-state at high density as it is expected to occur in the core of neutron stars, effects of chiral symmetry, and the phase structure at large baryon-chemical potentials (μB ≥ 500 MeV).We are focusing here on the contribution of JINR to the CBM experiment: design of the superconducting dipole magnet; manufacture of the straw and micro-strip silicon detectors, participation in the data taking and analysis algorithms and physics program.

The results of experiments on photon and π 0 pairs production in interactions of 5.5 GeV/c protons, 2.75 and 3.83 GeV/c per nucleon deuterons with carbon and copper nuclei are presented. As previously reported (see. [1] and references therein), along with π 0 and η mesons, a resonance structure in the invariant mass spectrum of two photons at Mγγ = 360 ± 7 ± 9 MeV is observed in the reaction dC → γ + γ + X at momentum 2.75 GeV/c per nucleon. Here are some results of testing the signal and results of statistical analysis of the experimental data which allow to explain the lack of appearance of the signal in other experiments [2, 3] and make predictions for possible appearances of the signal in upcoming experiments.

We study the structure of vorticity and hydrodynamic helicity fields in peripheral heavy-ion collisions using the kinetic Quark-Gluon Strings Model. The angular momentum which is a source of P-odd observables is preserved within this model with a good accuracy. We observe the formation of specific toroidal structures of vorticity field. Their existence is mirrored in the polarization of hyperons of the percent order. The observed qualitative energy dependence of polarization was predicted earlier and is quantified now.

Different reaction mechanisms contribute to the production of light fragments (LF) from nuclear reactions. Available models cannot accurately predict emission of LF from arbitrary reactions. However, the emission of LF is important for many applications, such as cosmic-ray-induced single event upsets, radiation protection, and cancer therapy with proton and heavy-ion beams, to name just a few. The cascade-exciton model (CEM) and the Los Alamos version of the quark-gluon string model (LAQGSM), as implemented in the CEM03.03 and LAQGSM03.03 event generators used in the Los Alamos transport code MCNP6, describe quite well the spectra of fragments with sizes up to 4He across a broad range of target masses and incident energies. However, they do not predict high-energy tails for LF heavier than 4He. The standard versions of CEM and LAQGSM do not account for preequilibrium emission of LF larger than 4He. The aim of our work is to extend the preequilibrium model to include such processes. We do this by including the emission of fragments heavier than 4He at the preequilibrium stage, and using an improved version of the Fermi Break-up model, providing improved agreement with various experimental data., 4 pages, 4 figures, Proc. International Nuclear Physics Conference INPC 2013, June 2-7, 2013, Florence, Italy, to be published in EPJ Web of Conferences

The MARS15(2012) is the latest version of a multi-purpose Monte-Carlo code developed since 1974 for detailed simulation of hadronic and electromagnetic cascades in an arbitrary 3-D geometry of shielding, accelerator, detector and spacecraft components with energy ranging from a fraction of an electronvolt to 100 TeV. Driven by needs of the intensity frontier projects with their Megawatt beams, e.g., ESS, FAIR and Project X, the code has been recently substantially improved and extended. These include inclusive and exclusive particle event generators in the 0.7 to 12 GeV energy range, proton inelastic interaction modeling below 20 MeV, implementation of the EGS5 code for electromagnetic shower simulation at energies from 1 keV to 20 MeV, stopping power description in compound materials, new module for DPA calculations for neutrons from a fraction of eV to 20-150 MeV, user-friendly DeTra-based method to calculate nuclide inventories, and new ROOT-based geometry., Comment: 7 p

The multiple emission of intermediate-mass fragments (IMF) is studied for collisions of p, 4He, and 12C on Au with the 4π FASA setup. The mean multiplicities of IMF saturate at a value of around 2 for incident energies above 6 GeV. An attempt at describing the observed IMF multiplicities in the two-stage scenario, a fast cascade followed by a statistical multifragmentation, fails. Agreement with the measured IMF multiplicities is obtained by introducing an intermediate expansion phase and modifying empirically the excitation energies and masses of remnants. The angular distributions and energy spectra from p-induced collisions are in agreement with the scenario of “thermal” multifragmentation of a hot and expanded target spectator. In the case of 12C + Au(22.4 GeV) and 4He (14.6 GeV) + Au collisions, deviations from a pure thermal breakup are seen in the fragment energy spectra, which are harder than those both from model calculations and from the measured ones for p-induced collisions. This difference is attributed to a collective flow with the expansion velocity at the surface of about 0.1c (for 12C + Au collisions).

The inclusive energy spectra and multiplicities of p, d, and t from the reactions 14N(Ag, X), X=p, d, t at E/A=52 MeV are measured. The experimental data are compared with the results obtained within the Dubna version of the cascade model and are analyzed on the basis of the moving-source model.

The total cross sections of (γ, n) reactions were measured for 12 nuclei from45Sc to208Pb using an activational method on bremsstrahlung from a microtron with maximum energy 25 MeV. Calculations of the total cross sections were performed on the basis of a modified preequilibrium decay model. Good agreement was obtained between the experimental and computed cross sections in the mass number range 100–208. 1 figure, 3 tables, 13 references.

Possibility of observing the Mott momentum in the distribution of the deuterons produced in the process $p + n \to d + \gamma$, in the first stage of a nuclear reaction is presented. The correlation of a hard photon with a deuteron allows to select those deuterons produced at the beginning of a reaction., Comment: 10 pages, 5 Postscript figures

Within a dynamical and statistical approach we study the main regularities in production of hypernuclei coming from projectile and target residues in relativistic ion collisions. We demonstrate that yields of hypernuclei increase considerably above the energy threshold for Lambda hyperons, and there is a saturation for yields of single hypernuclei with increasing the beam energy up to few TeV. Production of specific hypernuclei depend very much on the isotopic composition of the projectile, and this gives a chance to obtain exotic hypernuclei that may be difficult to reach in traditional hypernuclear experiments. Possibilities for the detection of such hypernuclei with planned and available relativistic ion facilities are discussed., 20 pages with 8 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev. C

We study the P-odd effects related to the vorticity of the medium formed in noncentral heavy ion collisions. Using the kinetic Quark-Gluon Strings Model we perform the numerical simulations of the vorticity and hydrodynamical helicity for the various atomic numbers, energies and centralities. We observed the vortical structures typically occupying the relatively small fraction of the fireball volume. In the course of numerical simulations the noticeable hydrodanamical helicity was observed manifesting the specific mirror behaviour with respect to the reaction plane. The effect is maximal at the NICA and FAIR energy range., 7 pages, 6 figures

We study the P-odd effects related to the vorticity of the medium formed in noncentral heavy ion collisions. Using the kinetic Quark-Gluon String Model, we perform numerical simulations of the vorticity and hydrodynamical helicity for various atomic numbers, energies and centralities. We observe vortical structures typically occupying a relatively small fraction of the fireball volume. In the course of numerical simulations a noticeable hydrodynamic helicity was observed manifesting a specific mirror behaviour with respect to the reaction plane. The effect is maximal at the NICA and FAIR energy range.

The universal properties of the invariant transverse mass spectra of produced poins and etas in proton-nucleus and nucleus-nucleus collisions are discussed within the Quark Gluon String Model in a large range of bombarding energies starting from E/A ⋍ 1 GeV . A unique mechanism of particle production and building-up the transverse mass of produced mesons is suggested. A possible extension of this universal behaviour of transverse mass spectra to other heavy and strange hadrons is discussed shortly.

We study the formation of large hyper-fragments in relativistic heavy-ion collisions within two transport models, DCM and UrQMD. Our goal is to explore a new mechanism for the formation of strange nuclear systems via capture of hyperons by relatively cold spectator matter produced in semi-peripheral collisions. We investigate basic characteristics of the produced hyper-spectators and evaluate the production probabilities of multi-strange systems. Advantages of the proposed mechanisms over an alternative coalescence mechanism are analysed. We also discuss how such systems can be detected taking into account the background of free hyperons. This investigation is important for the development of new experimental methods for producing hyper-nuclei in peripheral relativistic nucleus-nucleus collisions, which are now underway at GSI and are planned for the future FAIR and NICA facilities., Comment: 28 pages, including 10 figures. Submitted to Phys. Rev. C

In this paper, we present a model of calculation with respect to the interactions of high-energy nuclei with matter. Based on this model, we obtain results on energy and angular spectra of the n- and π−-particles produced in collisions of deuterium and tritium nuclei at energiesTd=1 GeV/nucleon with light targets such as Li, Be. We have also estimated the production yields of neutrons and π−-mesons in targets of various radii, as well as mean energies of these these particles. Summarizing, we find that the lithium target of radiusR=10−12 cm for which the energy cost eπ to produce one π−-meson is estimated as 6.7 GeV/π for a d-beam and 5.3 GeV/π for a t-beam is the most preferred pion-production target.

Strangeness production at the CERN Super Proton Synchrotron energies is studied within the quark-gluon string model. The observed shape of rapidity and transverse mass distributions are reproduced fairly well for both peripheral and central heavy ion collisions. However, for central collisions the model underpredicts strange particle abundances by a factor of about 2:2:4 for ${\mathit{K}}_{\mathit{S}}^{0}$, \ensuremath{\Lambda}, and \ensuremath{\Lambda}\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{}, respectively. This discrepancy can be considered as a possible manifestation of collective string-string interactions similar to the formation of a color rope. Model predictions for coming experiments with the Pb beam at CERN are given.

Optimization of pion and muon production/collection for neutrino factories and muon colliders is described along with recent developments of the MARS15 code event generators and effects influencing the choice of the optimal beam energy.

Production rates of kaons and accompanying particles from nuclear targets are modeled with LAQGSM and MARS15 for low-energy proton beams.

The kinetic model developed previously for soft hadron-nucleus and nucleus-nucleus collisions has been extended to describe low mass dilepton production. A fairly good description of available experimental data on dileptons created in both p+Be collisions from 12 to 1 GeV and Ca+Ca collisions at energies of 2 and 1 GeV/nucleon, is attained taking into account a variety of e + e − sources. Confirming a previous estimate of the ππ annihilation process, it has been found that the ω/ϱ→e + e − decay contributes as much as ππ annihilation does and to the same region of invariant masses, even for Ca+Ca (1 GeV/nucleon) collisions.

The recoil properties of the product nuclei from the interaction of 2.2 GeV/nucleon 12-C ions from Nuclotron of the Laboratory of High Energies (LHE), Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR) at Dubna with a 118-Sn target have been studied using catcher foils. The experimental data were analyzed using the mathematical formalism of the standard two-step vector model. The results for 12-C ions are compared with those for deuterons and protons. Three different Los Alamos versions of the Quark-Gluon String Model (LAQGSM) were used for comparison with our experimental data., 10 pages, 6 figures, submitted to Nucl. Phys. A