Overview of PHENIX Physics at Forward and Backward Rapidity

Abstract

Physics at forward and backward rapidity in hadron+hadron and nucleus+nucleus collisions give access to kinematic regions that give unique information about nuclear effects from cold nuclear matter, crucial in understanding signals from the final state, such as the Quark Gluon Plasma. This proceedings will focus on three areas of interest. The first will describe a measurement of J/$\psi$ suppression in U+U collisions (measured by PHENIX in the forward and backward regions) where signs of regeneration from $c\overline{c}$ coalescence are seen. The second will include a measurement and discussion of the effects causing suppression of the $\psi$(2s) to $\psi$(1s) in cold nuclear matter. Lastly, I will provide an analysis update data taken with a recently added detector to the PHENIX experiment, the MPC-EX that has as its purpose, the measurement of $π^0$s and direct photons in cold nuclear matter at low-x.