https://doi.org/10.1140/epja/s10050-024-01389-1
Review
Structure and astrophysical role of the neutron-rich 
isotopes: status and perspectives
1
HUN-REN Institute for Nuclear Research, Bem tér 18/c, 4030, Debrecen, Hungary
2
Department of Physics, University of Surrey, GU2 7XH, Guildford, UK
Received:
22
February
2024
Accepted:
23
July
2024
Published online:
5
September
2024
Heavy neutron-rich nuclei are of great interest. Phenomena like shell evolution (
, 
), prolate–triaxial–oblate–spherical shape evolution (
70–80), possible deformed shell closures or structure change in the rare-earth region are under intense scrutiny. This latter is closely linked to the rare-earth r-process peak, while the 
nuclei are connected to the third r-process peak at 
. Recent technical developments (e.g. increasing beam intensities at fragmentation facilities, new detection systems) provided huge amount of new experimental data, published in the last decade, allowing to probe structure and astrophysical models. Experimental methods and recent results are reviewed and future opportunities discussed.
© The Author(s) 2024
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