The NICA mega science project got its start with the experiment at ejected beams with fixed targets at the accelerator complex of the Veksler and Baldin Laboratory of High Energy Physics JINR. For this purpose the BM@N facility (Baryonic Matter at Nuclotron) has been developed. Various beams are ejected to the experimental hall from the superconducting accelerator Nuclotron. At the beginning, there will be lightweight nuclei beams. However, in 2019, Au nuclei are planned to be used. The BM@N project deals with nucleons – protons and neutrons – nuclei consist of. In this experiment, physicists will study interactions of beam and target nucleus.

RAS Academician Victor Matveev, Director of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research: “As for the programme of the NICA project, a large-scale work is under way that is being performed at a fast pace. Nowadays, the first part of the programme is being implemented – the BM@N (Baryonic Matter at Nuclotron) experiment which includes experiments at the fixed target. Preparation to achieving first scientific results is under way. This facility has already gathered new participants from all over the world – France, the USA, Israel. The target setting is highly advanced. If one visits the facility, he will meet a lot of young people from different parts of the world who will say: “We have come here because it is the only place to conduct such kind of experiment”.