Exploring the heaviest nuclei through laser spectroscopy and mass spectrometry

Exploring the boundaries of nuclear existence is a central focus in modern nuclear physics. For over 50 years, research at GSI in Darmstadt has deepened our understanding of superheavy nuclei, leading to the discovery of six new elements. More recently, the program has expanded to investigate the atomic, nuclear, and chemical properties of these heaviest elements. Pioneering experiments in Penning-trap mass spectrometry and resonance ionization laser spectroscopy have provided invaluable data on these elements. Accurate mass measurements have enabled the study of nuclear shell structure evolution, particularly near the N=152 deformed shell gap. The high mass resolution of the SHIPTRAP mass spectrometer has also facilitated investigations into longer-lived nuclear isomers with low excitation energies, specifically in isotopes of nobelium, lawrencium, and rutherfordium. Additionally, isotope-shift measurements by laser spectroscopy have offered new insights into changes in nuclear charge radii across a series of fermium and nobelium isotopes. In this presentation, I will highlight key findings from recent measurement campaigns and discuss future directions for this exciting area of research.