Nuclear recoil detection with microchannel plates

Measurements of particle-recoil coincidences in low-energy (p,proportional to) reactions on Li-6.7, N-15, F-19 and Na-23 target nuclei are described. Reaction proportional to -particles were detected using a silicon surface-b arrier detector, while the corresponding recoil nuclei were measured with a microchannel plate detector. Absolute microchannel plate detection efficie ncies for a range of recoil energies (0.3-8.3 MeV) and masses (A = 3-20) ar e presented. The dependence of the microchannel plate detection efficiency on increasing background count rates is investigated. The usefulness of the present experimental technique for investigations of interest to nuclear a strophysics is discussed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserve d.