Speaker: Peter Jacob (LBNL)

Abstract: Non-linear evolution of the gluon density of matter at low-x ("gluon saturation") is a natural consequence of the non-Abelian nature of QCD, but quantitative understanding of it remains elusive. The observation and quantification of non-linear QCD evolution would be a major milestone in Nuclear Physics, and its search is a central component of the EIC scientific program. The same QCD forward scattering amplitudes probe saturation effects in both e+A Deep Inelastic Scattering at the EIC and forward p+A at the LHC, providing the opportunity to extend the reach in low-x of this search far beyond the range accessible to the EIC alone. In this talk I will first review the current status of forward QCD measurements at the LHC. I will then discuss the ALICE FoCal ("Forward Calorimeter") upgrade planned for the end of the decade, which will provide incisive probes of QCD evolution and the gluon density down to x~10^-6 via direct photons, neutral and vector mesons, jets, and their correlations. Finally, I will discuss a broad strategy for comprehensive analysis of EIC and forward RHIC and LHC data to constrain the nature of QCD evolution at low-x.