Total absorption <i>γ</i>-ray spectroscopy measurements at GANIL with STARS

The Total Absorption γ -ray Spectroscopy technique allows for a precise determination of the β -decay strength free from the Pandemonium systematic error. Currently, a new-concept hybrid spectrometer, STARS, is under development within the framework of the (NA) 2 STARS project. STARS will be the first device in the world to combine the large γ efficiency typical of total absorption calorimeters with the excellent energy resolution and timing of LaBr 3 (Ce) crystals. This unique combination, along with increased segmentation, will enable unprecedented studies further away from nuclear stability. Two of the existing total absorption spectrometers developed at IFIC-Valencia, Rocinante and DTAS, will both be upgraded with LaBr 3 (Ce) modules. The upgrade of Rocinante is discussed here. Our first proposal with STARS has already been approved at GANIL: Experiment E891_23, which will be the pioneering measurement performed with the new spectrometer. The goal of E891_23 is to measure the β -decay properties of several proton-rich nuclei in the Cr-Zn region, which are of significant interest for both nuclear structure and nuclear astrophysics.