Breakup, transfer, and fusion studies of exotic “halo” nuclei using an active-target time projection chamber.

Abstract

A program of study of the reaction mechanisms of exotic “halo” nuclei at energies near the Coulomb barrier is described. The unique opportunities presented by the ReA3 reaccelerated beam facility at the NSCL, coupled with an active-target time projection chamber (AT-TPC), will be fully exploited in this program. An approximately half-scale “prototype” AT-TPC has been constructed and is currently undergoing tests. This device has recently been installed on the TwinSol [1] beam line at the University of Notre Dame, and preliminary results of reaction studies using a low-energy 6He beam are reported.