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Description
Miniball consists of 24 6-fold-segmented HPGe detectors, individually encapsulated in vacuum-tight containers [1]. The detectors are arranged in eight triple-clusters allowing for a great flexibility of the set-up. The HPGe array is complemented by Si detectors for light (T-REX) or heavy ions (CD, C-REX) as well as optionally for conversion electrons (SPEDE).
Miniball is mainly operated at ISOLDE (CERN) making use of the world-wide unique variety of post-accelerated radioactive beams provided since 10 years with energies up to 10 MeV/u by the HIE-ISOLDE facility [2], the successor of REX-ISOLDE which started in 2002. The physics programme employs high-resolution spectroscopy following a range of reaction types like Coulomb excitation, nucleon-transfer, and incomplete fusion.
In the last years, an upgrade programme has been started with new cryostats and a new digital data acquisition system as first steps. In 2025, a new plunger device was the newest addition allowing for direct lifetime measurements.
The status of the set-up, recent highlights from the programme performed at HIE-ISOLDE, and the prospects towards future upgrades is presented.
[1] N. Warr et al., Eur. Phys. J. A 49, 40 (2013)
[2] https://home.cern/news/news/accelerators/hie-isolde-10-years-10-highlights