Maximal Net Baryon Density in the Energy Region Covered by NICA

Abstract

There are several theoretical indications that the energy region covered by the proposed NICA accelerator in Dubna is an extremely interesting one. We present a review of data obtained in relativistic heavy ion collisions and show that there is a gap around 10 GeV where more and better precise measurements are needed. The theoretical interpretation can only be clarified by covering this energy region. In particular the strangeness content needs to be determined, data covering the full phase space ($4 \pi$) would be very helpful to establish the thermal parameters of a possible phase transition.