Probing dense baryonic matter

The Compressed Baryonic Matter (CBM) experiment will be one of the major scientific activities at the future Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR) in Darmstadt. The goal of the CBM research program is to explore the QCD phase diagram in the region of high baryon densities using high-energy nucleus–nucleus collisions. This approach is complementary to the heavy-ion research program at RHIC and LHC where QCD matter at very high temperatures is studied. The relevant observables and the layout of the proposed CBM experimental facility will be discussed.