Experimental Challenges for Measuring $^{14}$N$(\alpha , \gamma) ^{18}$F in Inverse Kinematics

Recoils from the $^{14}$N$(\alpha,\gamma)^{18}$F reaction were recently detected for the first time using the St. George recoil mass separator. This reaction is the first in the $^{14}$N$(\alpha,\gamma)^{18}$F$(\beta^+\nu)^{18}$O$(\alpha,\gamma)^{22}$Ne$(\alpha,n)$ chain which produces s-process neutrons in TP-AGB, massive helium burning, and carbon burning stars. Recoil mass separation is a technique to study such reactions in inverse kinematics by detection of the recoil nuclei from these reactions. This is effectively done using a helium gas-jet target (HIPPO), an ion optics transport line which includes a Wien filter velocity selector (St. George), and a time-of-flight vs. energy detection system. The recent characterization of the ion optics and reconstruction of the HIPPO helium gas-jet target have allowed for the first detection of $^{18}$F recoils. The preliminary results of this commissioning experiment and the experimental challenges of using the recoil separator will be presented, along with the ongoing and proposed improvements to HIPPO that will allow future measurements with St. George.