  Zeeman deceleration is a relatively new technique used to obtain full control
over the velocity of paramagnetic atoms or molecules in a molecular beam. We
present a detailed description of a multistage Zeeman decelerator that has
recently become operational in our laboratory [Cremers \emph{et al.}, Phys.
Rev. A 98, 033406 (2018)], and that is specifically optimized for crossed
molecular beams scattering experiments. The decelerator consists of an
alternating array of 100 solenoids and 100 permanent hexapoles to guide or
decelerate beams of paramagnetic atoms or molecules. The Zeeman decelerator
features a modular design that is mechanically easy to extend to arbitrary
length, and allows for solenoid and hexapole elements that are convenient to
replace. The solenoids and associated electronics are efficiently water cooled
and allow the Zeeman decelerator to operate at repetition rates exceeding 10
Hz. We characterize the performance of the decelerator using various beams of
metastable rare gas atoms. Imaging of the atoms that exit the Zeeman
decelerator reveals the transverse focusing properties of the hexapole array in
the Zeeman decelerator.
