Recent News

Experiment 11027B (2013.06.07) Experimental run 11027B (d,n studies using MoNA-LISA and VANDLE) has been completed at the NSCL. The experiment used the both MONA-LISA and and the low-energy neutron detector system VANDALE developed at the Oak Ridge National laboratries. The combined system allowed (d,n) transfer reactions in inverse kinematics. This experimental measured the spectroscopic factors of the single-proton states in ⁵⁷Cu via the ⁵⁶Ni(d,n) reaction. The experiment was lead by Dr. Bill Peters.

 

Publication (2013.01.30) The article "First Observation of ¹³Li Ground State" was published in the journal Physical Review C (Vol. 87, 011304(R)) The article was selected as an "Editor's Suggestion" for the volume. Dr. Zach Kohley is the primary author. Dr. Kohley is currently an assistant professor at Michigan State University.

 

Beaver Island 2012(2012.08.18) The Annual Beaver Island Meeting begins. Faculty and students gather to discuss the the status of data analysis and publication and plan for future experiments. Held on Beaver Island in Lake Michigan the meeting provides an oppurtunity for faculty and students to work together without distractions. The annual business meeting of the Collaboration is held at this time as well.

 

Experiment 10007 (2012.08.01) Experiment 10007 (Two neutron decay of Lithium-11) is underway at the NSCL. The experiment is designed to determine the character of the two neutron decay of 11Li (sequential vs. simultaneous) and explore the excitied state structure of Lithium-11 via two-proton removal from 13B. This is the first experiment to use the new hodoscope designed and built by Dr. Nathan Frank and his students at Augustana College at Rock Island. The experiment is lead by Jenna Smith.

 

First observation of Di-Neutron Decay: ¹⁶Be (2012.03.19) An experiment with the MoNA facility lead by Dr. Artemis Spyrou of Michigan State University has demonstrated the existence of Di-Neutron decay in 16-Be. This is the first observation of this decay mode for any nucleus. The discovery has been widely praised and reported. It was featured on the APS Physics website and IOPs PhysicsWorld website. Artlicles on the discovery have appeared in Science News and the CERN Courier. The full report is published in Phys. Rev. Lett. 108, 102501 (2012).

 

Publication(2012.02.12) The article "Evidence for the ground-state resonance of ²⁶O" was published in April 6 2012 issue of Phys Rev Lett (Vol.108, No.14). Mr. E. Lunderberg is the primary author. Mr. Lunderberg is an undergraduate at Hope College. Professor P. DeYoung is his research advisor.

Publication (2012.01.10) The article "Exploring the Low-Z Shore of the Island of Inversion at N = 14" was published in the January issue of Phys. Rev. Lett. (Vol. 108, 037302). Greg Christian is the primary author. Mr. Christian is a doctoral student at Michigan State University.

 

Publication (2011.10.16) The article "Neutron-unbound states in ^25,26F" was published in the October issue of Physical Review C (Vol. 84, 037302). Dr. Nathan Frank is the primary author. Dr. Frank is currently an assistant professor at Augustana - Rock Island and a member of the MoNA Collaboration.

Experiment 10023 (2011.06.20) Experiment 10023 "Unbound States in Neutron-Rich Oxygen Isotopes" was successfully completed at the NSCL. In addition to exploring the oxygen isotopes at the neutron dripline the experiment commissioned the new LISA detector. The spokesperson for the project is Dr. Warren Rogers. The spectrum (which can be found here) shows the first neutron detections in LISA.

 

Publication (2011.06.01) The article "Neutron knockout of ¹²Be populating neutron-unbound states in ¹¹Be" has been published in the May 2011 issue of Physical Review C (Vol.83, No.5). Dr. W. A. Peters is the primary author. Dr. Peters recieved his PhD for work done with the MoNA facility.The electronic version of the paper can be found here.

 

Experiment 09067 (2010.08.21) Experiment 09067 ( Understanding the 15Be Ground State Formed Via a (d,p) Reaction with Inverse Kinematics) is under way at the NSCL. The experiment is designed to measure the ground state and possible excited state of 15Be. It uses a deuterated polyethylene (CD2) target and a 14Be beam. The states in 15Be will be populated via a (d,p) transfer reaction. This will be the first MoNA experiment that will use the (d,p) reaction in inverse kinamatics. The spokesperson for the project is Dr. Paul DeYoung.

 

Beaver Island (2010.08.21) The Annual Beaver Island Meeting begins. Faculty and students gather to discuss the progress of work on LISA as well as the status of data analysis and publication.Held on Beaver Island in Lake Michigan the meeting provides an oppurtunity for faculty and students to work together without distractions. The annual business meeting of the Collaboration is held at this time as well.

 

Experiment 09069 (2010.07.15) Experiment 09069 ( Measurement of Excitation Energy of Neon Prefragments) was run successfully at the NSCL. The experiment seeks to measure evaporation neutrons in coincidence with residue projectile fragments to determine the excitation energy of the intermediate fragments produced in the reactions. A Mg-32 beam was used to create neon isotopes that are measured by the Sweeper Magnet and charged particle detectors while the associated distribution of evaporation neutrons is measured using the MoNA detector. Michele Mosby is the spokesperson for the experiment.

 

Reconfiguration of MoNA (2010.05.27) The modular array was split and detector modules were placed side-by-side in order to achieve a larger angular coverage for the up-coming experiments.

 

LISA bars delivered (2010.05.20) Crates containing sixteen 2 meter long by 10 cm square bars of scintillation material that will form the core of a set of neutron detectors begin arriving at the 10 schools constructing LISA.The bars will be constructed, tested and calibrated by undergraduate students at each of the schools.

 

Experiment 09040 (2010.01.27) Experiment 09040 "Study of Neutron Unbound States in 28F" was run successfully at the NSCL. A Ne-29 secondary beam was used to create 28F via one proton stripping at the target. MoNA detected the outgoing neutron, the sweeper collected data on the charged fragment and CAESAR measured the gamma-rays. With this information the original 28F state can be reconstructed. This is the first time that that CAESAR has been used in conjunction with the MoNA-sweeper system. The PI for the experiment is Dr. Nathan Frank from Augustana College.