Renaissance of Nuclear Physics at the LHC

Abstract

Introduction High-energy Large Hadron Collider (LHC) experiments provide a unique laboratory for nuclear and hadron physics studies that have a wide breadth of possible applications to astrophysics. This article summarizes these truly interdisciplinary studies. On the one hand, it addresses the formation process and properties of light antinuclei that constitute a pivotal ingredient in searches for dark matter in cosmic rays. On the other hand, it focuses on high-precision studies of hyperon–nucleon and hyperon–hyperon interactions and properties of (anti)hypernuclei that are fundamental to study the equation-of-state of neutron stars. The activities described in this article provide the basis of a proposal that has been submitted to the Joint ECFA–NuPECC–ApPEC Actions initiative. The LHC is mostly known for its groundbreaking contributions to the most fundamental aspects of modern particle physics. However, it also offers a unique laboratory to study the interaction between hadrons, such as ordinary protons and neutrons, or more exotic particles like hyperons, antinuclei, or charmed baryons. The A Large Ion Collider Experiment (ALICE) Experiment at the LHC, with its strong particle identification capabilities, is ideally suited to perform these investigations. In addition, the LHCb experiment is able to provide important measurements for the astrophysics community thanks to its coverage at forward rapidity.