A new detection array for underground charged particle spectroscopy at LUNA-400

Nuclear astrophysics experiments at low energies greatly benefit from the background reduction afforded by deep underground laboratories, allowing the detection of rare events from low-probability nuclear reactions. While the advantages of this approach are well-known for reactions emitting photons, this strategy has been exploited less for reactions emitting exclusively charged-particles. Here, we report on the construction and commissioning of a new charged-particle detection array designed for measurements of nuclear reactions at the LUNA-400 accelerator, located deep underground in INFN Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso (Italy). We describe the challenges and requirements for this array, and report on its performance for future physics studies.