DIRECT MASS MEASUREMENTS OF EXOTIC NUCLEI IN STORAGE RINGS

Mass measurements of exotic nuclei is a fast, developing field which is essential for basic nuclear physics and a wide range of applications. The method of storage ring mass spectrometry has many advantages: (1) a large amount of nuclides can be simultaneously measured; (2) very short-lived (T-1/2 greater than or similar to 50 mu s) and very rare species (yields down to single ions) can be accessed; (3) nuclides in several atomic charge states can be investigated, (4) half-life measurements can be performed with time-resolved mass spectrometry. In this contribution we concentrate on some recent achievements and future perspectives of the storage ring mass spectrometry.