Abstract
This article presents a collection of simulation studies using the ECCE detector concept in the context of the EIC’s exclusive, diffractive, and tagging physics program, which aims to further explore the rich quark–gluon structure of nucleons and nuclei. To successfully execute the program, ECCE proposed to utilize the detector system close to the beamline to ensure exclusivity and tag ion beam/fragments for a particular reaction of interest. Preliminary studies confirm the proposed technology and design satisfy the requirements. The projected physics impact results are based on the projected detector performance from the simulation at 10 or 100 fb−1 of integrated luminosity. Additionally, insights related to a potential second EIC detector are documented, which could serve as a guidepost for future development.