Electron-Ion Collider Kinematics

The study of nuclear matter and its emergence from the partonic structure of quarks and gluons represents a fundamental challenge in modern nuclear and particle physics. The Electron-Ion Collider (EIC), a next-generation facility expected to begin construction in 2025 with an estimated cost of nearly 3 billion dollars, is designed to address this challenge by enabling high-precision electron-proton (ep) and electron-ion (eA) collisions. Supported by the U.S. Department of Energy and endorsed by the National Academies of Sciences, the EIC will build upon the existing RHIC infrastructure and utilize advanced accelerator technologies to achieve high luminosity and broad kinematic coverage. Through these collisions, the EIC will provide tomographic imaging of quarks and gluons within nucleons and nuclei, probing phenomena such as gluon saturation and seeking answers to key questions about the role of gluons in nucleon mass, spin, and high-density systems. At the heart of this effort is the accurate reconstruction of deep inelastic scattering (DIS) kinematic variables—namely the Bjorken scaling variable x, inelasticity y, and squared four-momentum transfer Q^2 from measurable detector observables. This research project focuses on developing and evaluating several methods for reconstructing these kinematic variables, ultimately contributing to improved resolution and precision, which are essential for maximizing the scientific potential of the EIC.