OSCAR: A new modular device for the identification and correlation of low energy particles

Abstract A new modular and high versatility hodoscope, OSCAR, has been developed and characterized. The aim of this hodoscope is to work as an ancillary detector of present large acceptance heavy ion detectors in specific angular regions where low thresholds and high granularities are needed. We discuss the capabilities of OSCAR in the Δ E–E identification of very low energy light particles, providing a precise map of the thickness uniformity of the Δ E (SSSSD, 20 μ m ) stage and showing how the thickness gradient affects the identification of particles. Energy spectra of light identified particles produced in Ca+Ca collisions at 35 AMeV are used to investigate isospin transport phenomena involving the emission of low energy particles from the quasi-target (QT) source in semi-peripheral nuclear collisions. The possibility to explore particle–particle correlations are also discussed.