Novel multi-layer plastic-scintillator-based solid active proton target for inverse-kinematics experiments

Abstract We have constructed and tested a novel plastic-scintillator-based solid-state active proton target for use in nuclear spectroscopic studies with nuclear reactions induced by an ion beam in inverse kinematics. The active target system, named Stack Structure Solid organic Scintillator Active Target (S 4 AT), consists of five layers of plastic scintillators, each with a 1-mm thickness. To determine the reaction point in the thickness direction, we exploit the difference in the energy losses due to the beam particle and the charged reaction product(s) in the scintillator material. S 4 AT offers the prospect of a relatively thick target while maintaining a good energy resolution. By considering the relative energy loss between different layers, the energy loss contributed by coincident unreacted beam particles can be eliminated. Such a procedure, made possible by the multi-layer structure, is essential to eliminate the contribution from coincident unreacted beam particles, thus enabling its operation at a moderate beam intensity of up to a few Mcps. We evaluated the performance of S 4 AT by measuring the elastic proton–proton scattering using a 70-MeV proton beam at Cyclotron and Radioisotope Center (CYRIC), Tohoku University.