Study of the Beta-delayed Neutrons from $^{77}$Cu using VANDLE

The Versatile Array of Neutron Detectors at Low Energy (VANDLE) measures the energy of neutrons emitted from nuclear excited states populated through beta decay or transfer reactions. The time-of-flight technique determines the energy, which requires a time resolution on the order of 1 ns. In addition, the detector requires a low threshold to measure neutrons at energies of 100 keV or lower. A successful experimental campaign at the Holifield Radioactive Beam Facility, using ions produced via proton induced fission of $^{238}$U, has yielded preliminary results on beta-delayed neutrons emitted during the decay of $^{77}$Cu. Of particular interest is the observation of low-energy neutrons emitted from states well above the neutron separation energy. Results from this experiment will be presented. This work was supported by the NNSA through DOE Cooperative Agreement DE-FG52-08NA28552.