A practical description of a solenoidal electron guide and its adaptation o
n-line with heavy-ion accelerators is given. This includes details concerni
ng the use of silicon detectors and a new preamplifier circuit. Examples of
low-energy spectra obtained in gamma-electron coincidence measurements car
ried out at the SARA and VIVITRON facilities, respectively, are shown and c
ommented. Some conclusions are drawn from the experiments. (C) 2000 Elsevie
r Science B.V. All rights reserved.