Abstract
The Di-pentagonal Array for Nuclear Timing Experiments (DANTE) is an array of ten BaF2 detectors used in conjunction with the 8π gamma-ray spectrometer at the TRIUMF-ISAC radioactive-ion beam facility. DANTE is used to conduct direct lifetime measurements of nuclear excited states in the picosecond - nanosecond range. This, in turn, will aid in probing the collective structures of deformed nuclei. The capability of DANTE to measure nanosecond-scale lifetimes is demonstrated by using a 152Eu source. The half-life of the Iπ = 21+ state of 152Sm is measured to be 1.426 ± 0.018 ns.