SPIDER: A Silicon PIe DEtectoR for low-energy Coulomb-excitation measurements

SPIDER is a new array of segmented silicon detectors for low-energy Coulomb-excitation experiments, designed as an ancillary device for modern γ-ray spectrometers such as GALILEO and AGATA. Currently, it is used at the INFN Legnaro National Laboratories (LNL) for experiments with the GALILEO γ-ray array and the stable beams provided by the Tandem-XTU, ALPI-PIAVE accelerator complex. In this paper, a detailed description of SPIDER is presented, as well as the outcomes from the first in-beam experiment of the array coupled with GALILEO. In particular, radiation damage and cross-talk/charge-sharing effects induced by energetic heavy ions in SPIDER are investigated and the capabilities of the array to perform on-line Rutherford back-scattering analysis of the exploited target are presented. The material reported here can be used to plan future experiments with the GALILEO-SPIDER setup with the presently available stable beams at LNL and paves the way for future experimental campaigns with the radioactive beams provided in the near future by the SPES facility at LNL.