The evolution of nuclear structure away from the line of stability is a main theme of contemporary nuclear physics and it is the subject of intense worldwide experimental and theoretical effort. The properties of exotic nuclei constitute a stringent test for universal effective nucleon-nucleon interactions and are required to quantitatively describe nucleosynthesis in explosive stellar environments. In recent years Gammasphere and the Fragment Mass Analyzer at ATLAS explored new nuclear landscapes on the proton-rich and neutron-rich side of the line of stability and at the Coulomb limit. Some examples from these experiments will be described. Spontaneous proton emission was used to probe proton wave functions in spherical and deformed nuclei along the proton drip line from Sb to Bi. Single-particle excitations outside the exotic self-conjugate doubly-magic ¹⁰⁰Sn core were observed in ¹⁰¹Sn. K-isomer studies in trans-fermium nuclei provided a bridge between the stable and super-heavy nuclei. Gamma-ray spectroscopy around the proton threshold in light proton-rich nuclei constrained important proton capture cross sections along the astrophysical rp-process path. The quest for new phenomena will continue with the ATLAS intensity upgrade, the Californium Rare Isotope Breeder Upgrade and the construction of the Facility for Rare Ion Beams on the horizon.

Argonne Physics Division Colloquium Schedule