Initial States in Nucleus–Nucleus Collisions at Energies of the NICA Collider

This paper presents the main results of studies which include both the search for new observables sensitive to novel physical phenomena expected in the formation of baryon rich dense matter formed in the collisions of heavy ions at NICA, and some practical solutions for selection of events with given mean energy density relevant to the number of binary nucleon–nucleon collisions. The behavior of strongly-intensive observables in the ranges of rapidity and momenta available for measurements at the MPD is presented, taking into account the response of the MPD experimental setup and reconstruction in the MpdRoot package. Methods of correction for track losses and inaccurate identification of particle species are discussed. The applicability of the standard Glauber model for the selection of centrality classes at the energies of the NICA collider is being critically reviewed. On the basis of MC simulated data and in accordance with the criteria of anticipated physical analysis, the possibilities of efficient event selection using a new fast detector system for beam–beam collisions monitoring are also briefly discussed.