Heavy ion physics for high density QCD with the CMS detector at the LHC

The main goal of the heavy ion physics programs at high energy colliders is to produce hot and dense partonic matter for studying quantum chromodynamics (QCD) under extreme conditions. The Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) can measure various soft and hard probes with high accuracy. We present various unique features of the CMS detector as they relate to the exploration of high density QCD in heavy ion collisions.