Utilizing a Novel Neutron Filtering Technique to Analyze Multi-Neutron Datasets

Nuclear physics research along the neutron drip line is of continuing interest. Neutron-unbound states that result in multiple neutron emission are particularly challenging to measure. In an experiment run at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory, a 101.3 MeV/u ²⁷Ne ion beam was fired into a target of liquid deuterium. Upon collision with the target, the ²⁷Ne beam produced various nuclides. These nuclides decay producing a charged fragment and at least one neutron. A superconducting dipole magnet guides the fragments into a suite of charged-particle detectors. ²⁶F is formed when 1-proton is removed from a ²⁷Ne beam, which results in ²⁵F, ²⁴F, or ²³F through one, two, or three neutron emission. This research focuses on extracting information about multi-neutron unbound states after particle emission from unstable isotopes. Analysis of experimental data was completed by running Monte Carlo simulations set to represent various decay paths.  The simulated and experimental histograms are then compared to draw conclusions about what types of decay certain isotopes undergo. This process is refined through the use of a new multi-neutron filtering method developed by collaborators. This filtering method helps to better distinguish between true multiple neutron events and neutrons that interact with the detectors more than once. A comparison of results between data and simulation will be presented.