The levels in 26 Na with single particle character have been observed for the first time using the d( 25 Na,pγ) reaction at 5 MeV/nucleon. The measured

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We report a precise determination of the 19 Ne half-life to be T 1/2 = 17.262 ± 0.007 s. This result disagrees with the most recent precision measurements and is important for placing bounds on predicted right-handed interactions that are absent in the current Standard Model. We are able to identify and disentangle two competing systematic effects that influence the accuracy of such measurements. Our findings prompt a reassessment of results from previous high-precision lifetime measurements that used similar equipment and methods.PACS numbers: 24.80.+y, 27.20.+n, 12.15.Hh, 29.40.Mc Precise measurements of decay rates and angular correlations in semi-leptonic processes are known to be excellent probes for interactions that are predicted by extensions of the Standard Model [1]. For example, the measured lifetime and electron asymmetry in neutron β decay [2] are used to probe for right-handed currents and obtain a precise value of V ud , the up-down element of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa quark-mixing matrix, in a relatively simple system that is free of nuclear structure effects. However, in spite of this compelling advantage, precision neutron β decay experiments are challenging. Current results from independent neutron decay measurements show large discrepancies that need to be addressed before conclusive interpretations can be made from the data [2]. In this regard Nature offers a fortuitous alternative in 19

The combination of γ-ray spectroscopy and charged-particle spectroscopy is a powerful tool for the study of nuclear reactions with beams of nuclei far from stability. This paper presents a new silicon detector array, SHARC, the Silicon Highly-segmented Array for Reactions and Coulex. The array is used at the radioactive-ion-beam facility at TRIUMF (Canada), in conjunction with the TIGRESS γ-ray spectrometer, and is built from custom Si-strip detectors utilising a fully digital readout. SHARC has more than 50% efficiency, approximately 1000-strip segmentation, angular resolutions of ∆θ ≈ 1.3 deg and ∆φ ≈ 3.5 deg, 25-30 keV energy resolution, and thresholds of 200 keV for up to 25 MeV particles. SHARC is now complete, and the experimental program in nuclear astrophysics and nuclear structure has commenced.