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Neutron-rich rare-earth nuclei are among the most collective nuclei that can be found in nature. In particular, the doubly mid-shell nucleus 170Dy is expected to be the nucleus where the collective structure is maximized. This has implications for the astrophysical r-process, since it has been suggested that the collectivity maximum plays an important role in the abundances of the rare-earth elements that are created in supernova explosions. In this work, the collective structure of the five nuclei 168,170Dy and 167,168,169Ho are studied and different theoretical models are used to interpret the evolution of collectivity around the mid-shell. In order to produce and study even more neutron-rich nuclei in this mass region, new radioactive ion beam facilities will be a valuable tool. These facilities, however, require advanced instruments to study the weak signals of exotic nuclei in a high background environment. Two of these instruments are the γ-ray tracking spectrometer AGATA and the neutron detector array NEDA. For AGATA to work satisfactorily, the interaction position of the gamma rays must be determined with an accuracy of at least five millimetres. The position resolution is measured in this work using a model independent method based on the Doppler correction capabilities of the detector at two different distances between the detector and the source. For NEDA, one of the critical parameters is its ability to discriminate between neutrons and γ rays. By using digital electronics it is possible to employ advanced and efficient algorithms for pulse-shape discrimination. In this work, digital versions of the common analogue methods are shownto give as good, or better, results compared to the ones obtained using analogue electronics. Another method which effectively distinguishes between neutrons and γ rays is based on artificial neural networks. This method is also investigated in this work and is shown to yield even better results.

<p>A Monte Carlo simulation of the Neutron Wall detector system has been performed using Geant4, in order to define optimum conditions for the detection and identification of multiple neutrons. Emphasis was put on studying the scattering of neutrons between different detectors, which is the main source of the apparent increase of the number of detected neutrons. The simulation has been compared with experimental data. The quality of neutron gated γ-ray spectra was improved for both two- and three-neutron evaporation channels. The influence of small amounts of γ rays mis-interpreted as neutrons was investigated. It was found that such γ rays dramatically reduce the quality of neutron gated γ-ray spectra.</p><p>The interaction properties of fast neutrons in a closed-end coaxial and a planar high-purity germanium detector (HPGe) were studied. Digitised waveforms of HPGe preamplifier signals were recorded for time-of-flight separated neutrons and γ rays, emitted by a ²⁵²Cf source. The experimental waveforms from the detectors were compared to simulated pulse shapes. In the analysis, special emphasis was given to the detection of elastically scattered neutrons, which may be an important effect to take into account in future spectrometers based on γ-ray tracking. No differences between neutron and γ-ray induced pulse shapes were found in this work.</p><p>A Monte Carlo simulation of the interactions of fast neutrons in the future 4π γ-ray spectrometer AGATA was also performed, in order to study the influence of neutrons on γ-ray tracking. It was shown that although there is a large probability of detecting neutrons in AGATA, the neutrons decrease the photo-peak efficiency of AGATA by only about 1% for each neutron emitted in coincidence with γ rays. The peak-to-background ratios in γ-ray spectra are, however, reduced to a much larger extent. The possibility of using AGATA as a neutron detector system was also investigated.</p>

A Monte Carlo simulation of the Neutron Wall detector system has been performed using Geant4, in order to define optimum conditions for the detection and identification of multiple neutrons. Emphasis was put on studying the scattering of neutrons between different detectors, which is the main source of the apparent increase of the number of detected neutrons. The simulation has been compared with experimental data. The quality of neutron gated γ-ray spectra was improved for both two- and three-neutron evaporation channels. The influence of small amounts of γ rays mis-interpreted as neutrons was investigated. It was found that such γ rays dramatically reduce the quality of neutron gated γ-ray spectra. The interaction properties of fast neutrons in a closed-end coaxial and a planar high-purity germanium detector (HPGe) were studied. Digitised waveforms of HPGe preamplifier signals were recorded for time-of-flight separated neutrons and γ rays, emitted by a 252Cf source. The experimental waveforms from the detectors were compared to simulated pulse shapes. In the analysis, special emphasis was given to the detection of elastically scattered neutrons, which may be an important effect to take into account in future spectrometers based on γ-ray tracking. No differences between neutron and γ-ray induced pulse shapes were found in this work. A Monte Carlo simulation of the interactions of fast neutrons in the future 4π γ-ray spectrometer AGATA was also performed, in order to study the influence of neutrons on γ-ray tracking. It was shown that although there is a large probability of detecting neutrons in AGATA, the neutrons decrease the photo-peak efficiency of AGATA by only about 1% for each neutron emitted in coincidence with γ rays. The peak-to-background ratios in γ-ray spectra are, however, reduced to a much larger extent. The possibility of using AGATA as a neutron detector system was also investigated.