  The cross sections and velocity distributions of projectile-like fragments
from the reaction of 25 MeV/nucleon 86Kr + 64Ni have been measured using the
MARS recoil separator at Texas A&M, with special emphasis on the neutron rich
isotopes. Proton-removal and neutron pick-up isotopes have been observed with
large cross sections. A model of deep-inelastic transfer (DIT) for the primary
interaction stage and the statistical evaporation code GEMINI for the
deexcitation stage have been used to describe the properties of the product
distributions. The results have also been compared with the EPAX
parametrization of high-energy fragmentation yields. The experimental data show
an enhancement in the production of neutron-rich isotopes close to the
projectile, relative to the predictions of DIT/GEMINI and the expectations of
EPAX. We attribute this enhancement mainly to the effect of the extended
neutron distribution (neutron ``skin'') of the 64Ni target in peripheral
interactions of 86Kr with 64Ni. The large cross sections of such reactions near
the Fermi energy, involving peripheral nucleon exchange, suggest that, not only
the N/Z of the projectile and the target, but also the N/Z distribution at the
nuclear surface may properly be exploited in the production of neutron-rich
rare isotopes. This synthesis approach may offer a fruitful pathway to
extremely neutron-rich nuclei, towards the neutron-drip line.
