MAGNEX: an innovative magnetic spectrometer for nuclear physics studies

An innovative magnetic spectrometer has been recently installed at the INFN-LNS laboratory of Catania (Italy). Thanks to a powerful technique of trajectory reconstruction based on differential algebraic algorithms and on the use of a sophisticated focal plane tracker detector, it allows to guarantee good energy, mass and angular resolution in a large solid angle and a broad range of explored momenta. An array of 36 Ne213 liquid scintillators (EDEN) from IN2P3-IPN Orsay (France) laboratory has been installed around the scattering chamber of the spectrometer. In this way it is possible to detect, in coincidence with MAGNEX, the neutrons emerging from the reactions in a broad range of energies and with rather high efficiency. The facility, designed for an open nuclear physics community, makes it possible to face old and new challenges of experimental nuclear physics, often producing data of unprecedented quality. Example of new data are shown as connected to the exploration of multi-neutron transfer reactions induced by 18O projectiles, charge exchange reactions and nuclear rainbow in heavy ion collision.