Performance of the Neutron dEtector with Xn Tracking (NEXT) prototype.*

Recent developments in radioactive ion-beam facilities allow the production of very neutron-rich nuclei. Away from the line of beta stability towards neutron-rich nuclei, $\beta$-delayed multi-neutron emission is the dominant decay mode. Neutron dEtector with Xn Tracking (NEXT) has been designed to better measure $\beta-$delayed neutron energies. By segmenting the detector along the neutron flight path, NEXT will reduce the associated uncertainties in neutron time-of-flight measurements, improving energy resolution while maintaining detection efficiency. Detector prototypes have been built using segments of n-$\gamma$ discriminating plastic scintillator coupled to position sensitive photomultiplier tubes. Results will be presented from the tests of position-timing correlations and efficiency measurements using neutrons produced from (p,n) and (d,n) reactions.