TACTIC: A Detector for Tracking in Low Energy Nuclear Astrophysics

In nuclear astrophysics, detection of low energy reaction products is often difficult with techniques such as silicon detectors. To this end, the TRIUMF Annular Chamber for Tracking and Identification of Charged-particles (TACTIC) detector has been designed and built by an international collaboration between TRIUMF and the University of York. TACTIC is a cylindrical, segmented-anode, active-target TPC which utilizes high-gain preamps, digital electronics, Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) foils and a He-CO$_2$ gas mixture. First results from a recent radioactive beam test to study $^{8}$Li($\alpha$,n)$^{11}$B will be discussed.