Beta counting system for fast fragmentation beams

A new beta counting system has been developed at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory to study the beta decay of exotic nuclei produced by fast fragmentation. This system uses a double-sided silicon strip detector to detect both fragment implants and their subsequent beta decays; these events are correlated on a pixel-by-pixel basis, providing a direct measurement of the decay time with specific particle identification information regarding the parent nucleus. The experimental capabilities of this system are described, and future plans discussed. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.