Audit Report: IG-0543

The Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC), located at Brookhaven National Laboratory, is the
world's newest and largest particle accelerator for nuclear physics research. RHIC was
constructed between 1991 and 1999 at a reported cost of $617 million and is designed to
enhance scientific exploration by advancing our understanding of the most basic constituents
that make up the matter in our universe. The accelerator features a pair of superconducting
magnetic rings, 2.4 miles in circumference, which circulate beams of heavy ions in opposite
directions at nearly the speed of light. Where the ions collide at crossing points around the
rings, sophisticated detectors are used to help scientists gain insights into the characteristics of
quarks and gluons, two fundamental building blocks of matter.
In August 1999, the Office of Science determined that the RHIC project was completed on
schedule and within budget, and designated the RHIC as an operating facility. RHIC achieved
its first beam collisions in June 2000 and, in July 2001, scientists began operating the facility
with beam collisions at full-energy levels. The RHIC is currently operating as a state-of-the-art
research facility and represents an accomplishment of which many individuals in the
Department and at Brookhaven are justifiably proud.
The objective of this audit was to determine whether the RHIC project met performance and
cost expectations when it was designated as an operating facility.0