A fixed-target programme at the LHC: Physics case and projected performances for heavy-ion, hadron, spin and astroparticle studies

• Published in: Physics reports Vol. 911; no. C; pp. 1 - 83
• Main Authors: Hadjidakis, C., Kikoła, D., Lansberg, J.P., Massacrier, L., Echevarria, M.G., Kusina, A., Schienbein, I., Seixas, J., Shao, H.S., Signori, A., Trzeciak, B., Brodsky, S.J., Cavoto, G., Da Silva, C., Donato, F., Ferreiro, E.G., Hřivnáčová, I., Klein, A., Kurepin, A., Lorcé, C., Lyonnet, F., Makdisi, Y., Porteboeuf Houssais, S., Quintans, C., Rakotozafindrabe, A., Robbe, P., Scandale, W., Topilskaya, N., Uras, A., Wagner, J., Yamanaka, N., Yang, Z., Zelenski, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 12-05-2021; Elsevier
• ISSN: 0370-1573; 1873-6270
• DOI: 10.1016/j.physrep.2021.01.002

We review the context, the motivations and the expected performances of a comprehensive and ambitious fixed-target programme using the multi-TeV proton and ion LHC beams. We also provide a detailed account of the different possible technical implementations ranging from an internal wire target to a full dedicated beam line extracted with a bent crystal. The possibilities offered by the use of the ALICE and LHCb detectors in the fixed-target mode are also reviewed.