Precision Studies of QCD in the Low Energy Domain of the EIC

TL;DR

This paper outlines the scientific objectives and key research areas for QCD studies at the Electron-Ion Collider, emphasizing the importance of high luminosity and low energy for advancing understanding of nucleon structure and related phenomena.

Contribution

It identifies specific science topics and technical requirements essential for QCD precision measurements at the EIC, guiding future experimental and theoretical efforts.

Findings

Defines priority science topics for QCD at the EIC

Highlights the need for high luminosity and low energy for certain studies

Supports development of the second EIC interaction region

Abstract

The manuscript focuses on the high impact science of the EIC with objective to identify a portion of the science program for QCD precision studies that requires or greatly benefits from high luminosity and low center-of-mass energies. The science topics include (1) Generalized Parton Distributions, 3D imagining and mechanical properties of the nucleon (2) mass and spin of the nucleon (3) Momentum dependence of the nucleon in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering (4) Exotic meson spectroscopy (5) Science highlights of nuclei (6) Precision studies of Lattice QCD in the EIC era (7) Science of far-forward particle detection (8) Radiative effects and corrections (9) Artificial Intelligence (10) EIC interaction regions for high impact science program with discovery potential. This paper documents the scientific basis for supporting such a program and helps to define the path toward the realization of the second EIC interaction region.