Beta-delayed neutron studies performed with trapped ions

A detailed study of the beta-delayed neutron ($\beta$n) emission properties of $^{135,136}$Sb, $^{137,138,140}$I, and $^{144,145}$Cs was performed at the CARIBU facility by confining ions in the Beta-decay Paul Trap and measuring the decay particles with an array of radiation detectors. Decay branching ratios and energy spectra of the emitted neutrons were inferred from a measurement of the nuclear-recoil time-of-flight, thereby circumventing the limitations associated with direct neutron detection. The isotopes studied have importance in the areas of nuclear energy and \textit{r}-process nucleosynthesis. The results of this experiment will be presented and compared with direct neutron measurements. In the case of $^{136}$Sb, the $\beta$n energy spectrum has been measured for the first time.