A detection system for the study of alpha and proton radioactivity on the Daresbury recoil mass separator

A detection system has been constructed to measure the alpha and proton decays of short-lived (> μs) nuclear species lying in the proximity of the proton drip line. Proton-rich nuclei produced in fusion-evaporation reactions at angles around 0° are mass separated in flight using the Daresbury Recoil Mass Separator. A two-dimensionally position sensitive silicon surface barrier detector is used to measure evaporation residue implantations and decays. The position information is used to identify the mass of the parent nucleus and to correlate causally related events. The operation and performance of the detection system are described.