Measuring the B(E2) of the $\frac{1}{2}^- \rightarrow \frac{3}{2}^-$ transition in $^7Be$

Ab-initio methods have been successful in describing the structure of light nuclei using realistic nucleon-nucleon interactions, but more experimental data is needed for light unstable nuclei. Recent no-core configuration interaction calculations have made predictions for the ratio of E2 transition strengths for the first excited state transition in $^7Be$ and $^7Li$ . Additional calculations that include clustering effects show a significant difference in the $^7Be$ and $^7Li$ B(E2) value. The E2 transition strength of the $^7Be$ first excited state has never been measured, which provides an interesting opportunity to investigate the accuracy of these calculations. To measure this E2 transition strength, a Coulomb Excitation experiment was performed at the University of Notre Dame. $^7Be$ was produced and separated using TwinSol. A beam of $^7Be$ ions were scattered off a gold target and the gamma rays from the inelastically scattered ions were detected using six clover Ge detectors. The most recent results for the E2 transition strength and its comparison to the no-core configuration interaction approach will be shown. In addition, new systematic checks on the experiment will be presented including the first stages of a Geant4 simulation to help account for beam anisotropies.