The Advanced Plunger-Particle detector Array - APPA

Abstract The Advanced Plunger-Particle detector Array ( APPA ) is a new plunger device constructed to measure lifetimes of excited states in exotic nuclei, particularly those near the N = Z line. This instrument combines a compact plunger device with a charged-particle detector array to increase the experimental sensitivity for low-cross-section lifetime measurements employing fusion-evaporation reactions. APPA can be used in conjunction with the JUROGAM 3 germanium-detector array and with the RITU or MARA recoil separators available at the Accelerator Laboratory of the University of Jyväskylä (JYFL-ACCLAB). This article outlines the technical details of APPA , presents the lifetime measurement of the $$2^+_1$$ <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:msubsup> <mml:mn>2</mml:mn> <mml:mn>1</mml:mn> <mml:mo>+</mml:mo> </mml:msubsup> </mml:math> state in 62 Zn, and reports the effect of APPA on the transmission efficiency of MARA and prompt $$\gamma $$ <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:mi>γ</mml:mi> </mml:math> -ray and JYUTube detection efficiencies.