# What can we learn from transfer and how is best to do it?

## TL;DR

This paper reviews experimental techniques for nucleon transfer reactions with radioactive beams, focusing on (d,p) reactions, discussing measurement methods, experimental design considerations, and gamma-ray detection to aid researchers new to the field.

## Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of experimental approaches and considerations for nucleon transfer reactions, emphasizing practical techniques and choices for researchers starting in this area.

## Key findings

- Highlights the importance of gamma-ray detection for level identification.
- Discusses various experimental design choices and their rationales.
- Emphasizes single-nucleon transfer reactions, especially (d,p) reactions.

## Abstract

An overview of the experimental aspects of nucleon transfer reactions with radioactive beams is presented, aimed principally at a researcher who is beginning their work in this area. Whilst the physics motivation and the means of theoretical interpretation are briefly described, the emphasis is on the experimental techniques and the quantities that can be measured. General features of the reactions which affect experimental design are highlighted and explained. A range of experimental choices for performing the experiments is described, and the reasons for making the different choices are rationalised and discussed. It is often useful to detect gamma-rays from electromagnetic transitions in the final nucleus, both to improve the precision and resolution of the excitation energy measurements and to assist in the identification of the observed levels. Several aspects related to gamma-ray detection and angular correlations are therefore included. The emphasis is on single-nucleon transfer reactions, and mostly on (d,p) transfer to produce nuclei that are more neutron-rich, but there are also brief discussions of other types of transfer reactions induced by both light ions and heavy ions.