Active-target Time Projection Chamber (AT-TPC) and transfer reactions

In the last two decades, experiments with radioactive ion beams have provided a new perspective to the nuclear shell structure as the conventional shell gaps are found to disappear as one moves away from the valley of stability. Shell closures in the neutron-rich nuclei are crucial to understanding the formation of heavier elements in astrophysical r-process. A new global view of nuclear shell evolution is emerging which requires continued experimental efforts. Transfer reactions have been an important tool in the reaction spectroscopy of nuclei away from stability. However, experiments with rare isotope beams have to push the limits of low beam intensities and low cross sections to further extremes in order to study cases of highest interest. Active-Target Time Projection Chamber (AT-TPC) addresses these limitations by providing higher luminosity to access reactions with low beam intensities as AT-TPC can use thick targets without compromising on energy and angular resolution. Use of gas as target (and tracking) material provides access to the most important light targets, such as p, d, ⁴He, and even ³He. These are the most important targets for nuclear spectroscopy.  Transfer reactions with AT-TPC using both stable and radioactive ion beams will be discussed with a focus on planned experiments. New possibilities with the ReA6 facility at NSCL will be examined.