The High Resolution Array (HiRA): A Large Solid Angle Silicon Array for Rare Isotope Beam Experiments
Juan Manfredi, Michigan State University
The High Resolution Array (HiRA) is an array of 20 charged-particle detectors designed for use in a wide variety of experiments related to nuclear structure, nuclear reactions, and nuclear astrophysics. HiRA provides high angular coverage and high granularity for excellent position resolution. Each telescope consists of a single-sided 65-micron, 32-strip silicon detector (the "dE" layer, 65 microns), a double-sided 32-strip silicon detector (the "E" layer, 1.5 mm), and an array of 4 CsI(Tl) crystals (4 cm). The perpendicular strips on the front and back of the thick "E" define a pixel. Isotopes are identified using the dE-E technique. By comparing the energy loss in one detector to the total energy deposited in another detector, particles are distinguished by their mass A and charge Z.
The HiRA is located at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL) at Michigan State University. Nuclei are accelerated at up to half the speed of light in the NSCL's coupled cyclotrons and then fragmented on a thin foil target. The violent reactions in the target produce rare isotopes for study.
Abstract Author(s): Juan Manfredi