Laser spectroscopy of the heaviest elements at GSI Darmstadt
Prof. Dr. Michael Block (GSI Darmstadt und Helmholtz-Institut Mainz)

The heaviest elements with Z > 100 attract interest from atomic and nuclear physics.
On the one hand these elements owe their very existence to nuclear shell effects that stabilize them against spontaneous disintegration by fission. On the other hand, their atomic structure is affected by strong relativistic effects. In addition, and quantum electrodynamics and electron correlations play an important role.

The elements above fermium can only be synthesized in small amounts by fusion- evaporation reactions online. Thus, their experimental studies are challenging.
Recently, atomic levels in the element nobelium with Z = 102 have been identified for the first time [1]. The first ionization potential has been determined accurately from a Rydberg series. In addition, nuclear properties have been obtained from the isotope shift measurement of the 1S0-1P1 transition in 252-254No and from hyperfine spectroscopy in 253No.

In my presentation I will introduce the method, present the latest results, and discuss future perspectives for laser spectroscopy of even heavier elements.

[1] M. Laatiaoui et al., Nature 538, 495 (2016)