The newly built second experimental area EAR2 of the n_TOF spallation neutron source at CERN allows to
perform (n, charged particles) experiments on short-lived highly radioactive targets. This paper describes
a detection apparatus and the experimental procedure for the determination of the cross-section of the
7Be(n,α)α reaction, which represents one of the focal points toward the solution of the cosmological
Lithium abundance problem, and whose only measurement, at thermal energy, dates back to 1963.
The apparently unsurmountable experimental difficulties stemming from the huge 7Be γ-activity,
along with the lack of a suitable neutron beam facility, had so far prevented further measurements. The
detection system is subject to considerable radiation damage, but is capable of disentangling the rare
reaction signals from the very high background. This newly developed setup could likely be useful also to
study other challenging reactions requiring the detectors to be installed directly in the neutron beam.European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007-2011-UMO-2012/04/M/ST2/00700Croatian Science Foundation-HRZZ 168
