New results with stored exotic nuclei at relativistic energies

Recently, much progress has been made with stored exotic nuclei at relativistic velocities ((v)/(c) = 0.7). Fragments of Pb-208 and Bi-209 projectiles and fission products from U-238 ions were produced, separated in flight with the fragment separator FRS, and injected into the storage-cooler ring ESR for precision measurements. 114 new masses of neutron-deficient isotopes in the lead region have been measured with time-resolved Schottky Mass Spectrometry (SMS). A new isospin dependence of the pairing energy was observed due to the improved mass accuracy of typically 1.5 x 10(-7) (30 keV). New masses of short-lived neutron-rich fission fragments have been obtained with Isochronous Mass Spectrometry (IMS). An innovative field of spectroscopy has been opened up with lifetime measurements of stored bare and few-electron fragments after applying both stochastic and electron cooling.