  The low-x gluon density in the proton and, in particular, in nuclei is only
very poorly constrained, while a better understanding of the low-x structure is
crucial for measurements at the LHC and also for the planning of experiments at
future hadron colliders. In addition, deviations from linear QCD evolution are
expected to appear at low x, potentially leading to gluon saturation and a
universal state of hadronic matter, the color-glass condensate. However, these
effects have not been unambiguously proven to date. Fortunately, data from the
LHC can be used directly to provide better constraints of the parton
distribution functions (PDFs). In this context, a Forward Calorimeter (FoCal)
is proposed as an addition to the ALICE experiment, to be installed in the Long
Shutdown 3.
  The main goal of the FoCal proposal is to measure forward direct photons in
pp and p-Pb collisions to obtain experimental constraints on proton and nuclear
PDFs in a new region of low x. Based on the current knowledge from DIS
experiments and first results from LHC, we will discuss the physics case for
this proposed detector. While open charm measurements do provide important
constraints, a photon measurement would provide additional unique information.
The direct photon measurement requires a new electromagnetic calorimeter with
extremely high granularity. The corresponding innovative design principle of a
high-resolution Si-W sandwich calorimeter is discussed.
