Measuring Neutron Separation Energies Far from Stability

A method is proposed for the experimental measurement of neutron separation energies for nuclei far from stability. The procedure is based on determining cross sections for the production of nuclei, by projectile fragmentation, for which only protons are removed but for which the number of neutrons is left unchanged. A simple Abrasion-Ablation analysis leads to a cross section prediction which is sensitive to the neutron separation energy after a single parameter is adjusted in comparison with data. Examples which illustrate the method are presented.