Optical Time Projection Chamber for imaging nuclear decays

Abstract

We present a novel type of a Time Projection Chamber in which tracks of charged particles ionizing an active gas volume are recorded by means of optical signals. By combining a CCD camera image with the electron drift-time profile measured by a photomultiplier, it is possible to reconstruct trajectories of particles in three dimensions. The chamber was developed to study exotic nuclear decays in which charged particles are emitted. The results of first measurements will be demonstrated in which beta-delayed protons from 13O, the two-alpha decay of 8Be, and the triple-alpha decay of 12C excited states were recorded.