Atomic physics techniques like Penning-trap mass spectrometry and laser spectroscopy have provided sensitive and high-precision tools for a detailed study of nuclear ground-state properties far from the valley of stability. Mass, moment and nuclear charge radii measurements in long isotopic and isotonic chains have allowed, e.g., to extract nuclear structure information such as shell and subshell closures, the onset of deformation, the coexistence of nuclear shapes at nearly degenerate energies, and so on. The presentation concentrates on new technical developments that have allowed in recent years to extend the limits and knowledge of accessable nuclides due to improved efficiency, sensitivity, resolution and accuracy.

New techniques include:
- the use of highly-charged ions for mass spectrometry
- the development of a multi-reflection time-of-flight mass separator
- the application of different excitation schemes for stored ions
- the phase-sensitive detection of the cyclotron frequency of stored ions
- laser-induced nuclear orientation for isotope shift measurements
and many others.

Argonne Physics Division Seminar Schedule