Exploring the heaviest nuclei through precision measurements at low energy

Exploring nuclear boundaries is a central focus in modern nuclear physics. Over 50 years of
research at the GSI accelerator facility 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 atomic, nuclear, and chemical properties of the heaviest elements.
Pioneering experiments in Penning-trap mass spectrometry and resonance-ionization laser
spectroscopy have provided new and accurate data on these elements, enabling enhanced
studies of the nuclear shell structure evolution, particularly near the N=152 deformed shell
gap. Mass measurements provided binding energies, and the high resolving power of the
SHIPTRAP mass spectrometer facilitated investigations into longer-lived nuclear isomers with
low excitation energies. Laser spectroscopy offered new insights into changes in nuclear
charge radii, nuclear moments, and deformation. In my presentation, I will highlight key
findings from recent measurement campaigns and discuss future directions for this exciting
area of research.