The Multifunctional Information and Computing Complex (MICC) of the JINR Meshcheryakov Laboratory of Information Technologies (MLIT) is a key element of the JINR network and information and computing infrastructures. The MICC is regarded as JINR’s unique basic facility and plays a decisive role in scientific research, which entails advanced computing power and storage systems. Its uniqueness is ensured by the consolidation of all state-of-the-art information technologies for data processing and storage, united by the network infrastructure with a bandwidth of up to 4 × 100 Gbps. It consists of distributed data processing and storage systems based on both grid and cloud technologies and the hyperconverged computing infrastructure with liquid cooling. Multifunctionality, high reliability, and availability in 24 × 7 × 365 mode, scalability and high performance, information security and an advanced software environment are the main requirements that the MICC meets. The reliability and availability are ensured by the enhanced high-speed telecommunication system and the modern local network infrastructure, as well as by the reliable engineering infrastructure that provides guaranteed power supply and cooling for server hardware. This infrastructure is a staple for computing the experiments at the NICA accelerator complex. The BM@N, MPD, and SPD experiments intensively use all computational components and storage systems. Being part of the Worldwide LHC Computing Grid, the MICC serves as the Tier1 grid site for the CMS experiment at the LHC and as the Tier2 grid site that provides support for the experiments at the LHC and other world’s large-scale experiments in high-energy physics. The integrated cloud environment of the JINR Member States focuses on supporting users and experiments in Russia, China, the USA, etc. (e.g., NICA, NOvA, BaikalGVD, JUNO). The HybriLIT platform comprising the Govorun supercomputer provides capabilities for elaborating mathematical models and algorithms and performing resource-intensive computations, including on graphics accelerators that enable the development of the ecosystem for machine and deep learning tasks, Big Data analysis, and quantum computing on simulators.

The development of the unique cryogenic source of polarized deuterons, POLARIS, in the late 1970s was very fruitful and significantly enhanced JINR’s instrumental base for studies of nucleon-nucleon interactions as well as interactions of lightest nuclei with heavier nuclei.

Experimental data on polarization-dependent effects, obtained at the Synchrophasotron and the Nuclotron, significantly influenced the worldwide understanding of strong interactions between hadrons as well as the structure of lightest nuclei (the deuteron, first of all) at short inter-nucleon distances.

Experiments with polarized deuteron, proton and neutron beams at intermediate (several GeV) energies resulted in creation of wide collaborations between VBLHEP of JINR and other world centers (in the USSR and Russia, France, the USA, Germany, Japan, China). Many new and unexpected experimental results were obtained by those collaborations. In particular, many new unique results were obtained for the nucleon electromagnetic formfactors of nucleons, thanks to results of works within the ALPOM/ALPOM2 project. In addition, new ways became opened for experimental investigations with polarized ³He beams. In this direction, new unique results were obtained.

The necessary developments of the techniques for the spin program at the Nuclotron/NICA are discussed in the paper.

Refracton of particles (nucleons, nuclei, γ-quanta) in matter with polarized protons (nuclei) results in revealing coherent quasi-optical phenomenon of nuclear spin precession of particles (nuclei) in the pseudomagnetic field of matter with polarized spins and the phenomenon of birefringence of particles (nuclei) with spin S ⩾ 1. These phenomena can be observed and studied at the Nuclotron-M/NICA complex. The similar effects for γ-quanta could be observed at the LINAC accelerator.Quasi-optical coherent phenomena of spin rotation and dichroism are not caused by strong interactions only, the T-odd P-odd, T-odd P-even, and T-even P-odd interactions also contribute. Limits on the values of these contributions at the energies available at the Nuclotron-M/NICA complex can be obtained by investigating all these phenomena. When studying polarized particle collisions, it is necessary to consider possible influences of quasi-optical phenomena of spin rotation and spin dichroism caused by nuclear precession and birefringence.

The theory of spin effects (with the particular emphasis on T-odd ones) in QCD and its development in JINR is reviewed, including some personal recollections on the joint work with A.V. Efremov. The analysis of the sources of imaginary phases and respective cuts in hadronic kinematic variables leads to the effective character (non-universality) of T-odd distribution functions, contrary to universality of T-odd fragmentation functions. In particular, the model calculations of DIS with explicit T-violations can be used to predict the oscillations of T-odd polarizing fragmentation function. The comparison of polarization effects in hadronic and heavy-ion collisions is addressed.