Identification of nuclear fragments by a combined time-of-flight, ΔE-E technique

Abstract

Nuclear fragments of Z = 5 to 10 that resulted from the interaction of 5.5-GeV protons with uranium have been identified by a combined time-of-flight, ΔE-E technique. A thin ΔE detector was used so that the ΔE-E information provided only element resolution, not isotopic resolution. However, the measurement of the time-of-flight between the ΔE and E detectors together with the energy deposited in the E detector allowed the fragment mass to be determined. This technique enabled us to observe not only the major isotopes of these elements but also such neutron-rich nuclei as 18C and 20N. An improved algorithm for power-law particle identification is also described. © 1970.