Excited State Properties in Neutron-rich Nuclei near N = 40

The neutron-rich nuclei near N = 40 have recently been the focus of many experimental and theoretical efforts. In this region, the competing energy cost for promoting pairs of nucleons across either Z = 28 or N = 40 and the energy gain from residual nucleon-nucleon interactions gives rise to several low-energy 0$^{+}$ states and is a hallmark of shape coexistence. Low-energy 0$^{+}$ states have been observed in $^{68}$Ni, and predicted for other nuclei in the region. Recent theoretical calculations are able to reproduce the energies of known states in $^{68}$Ni and stress the importance of the tensor component of the monopole interaction. Yet, while energies of the levels are a useful comparison, a more stringent test is the reproduction of level lifetimes, where the predicted half-lives can vary by several orders of magnitude depending on the interaction. To further benchmark theoretical calculations in this region, a setup designed to measure level lifetimes has been constructed. A description of the array and preliminary results will be presented.