The scientific group of the MEPhI Institute of Nuclear Physics and Technology is taking part in the XI Collaboration Meeting of the SPD (Spin Physics Detector) experiment, held from May 18 to 22, 2026 at Tomsk State University (TSU).
The MEPhI delegation is presenting four reports in the framework of two key areas of work: the development of the BBC detector system (Beam-Beam Counter) and the development of the physical experiment program. The SPD International Collaboration brings together more than 400 scientists from Russia, China, Armenia, Belarus, Serbia, Cuba and other countries. The main task facing the researchers is to create a universal detector for studying the spin structure of the proton and deuteron at the NICA collider under construction at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR, Dubna).
The program of the XI meeting included reports on the current state of development and creation of detector subsystems, the results of computer modeling of physical processes and coordination of future plans. On the sidelines of the meeting, issues of developing electronics, software, and preparing IT infrastructure for future experiments are also being discussed.
The reports of the scientific group of the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI can be divided into two main blocks:
• The first block is devoted to the creation of the BBC detector (Beam Beam Counter), a device designed to monitor the luminosity of the accelerator and perform local polarimetry tasks. MEPhI scientists present the results of prototyping and testing of the BBC scintillation detector.
• The second block of reports concerns modeling for the development of a physical experimental program. The researchers present the key elements of the ion-ion physics program for SPD proposed by the NRU MEPhI group. The work is carried out within the framework of the SPD experiment laboratory at Department No. 40 and Department No. 7 of the MEPhI Institute of Nuclear Physics and Technology.
For reference
MEPhI joined the SPD collaboration in 2023 after signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research. Participation in the project includes the development of detector systems, conducting physical research, creating software for the computer infrastructure of the experiment, as well as training specialists through a new master's program at the intersection of particle physics and computer science.According to preliminary plans, the launch of the SPD experiment is scheduled for 2028.
