Highly precise mass values are relevant quantities in many physical models. Accurate masses of exotic short-lived nuclei are important for the investigation of the weak interaction and the Standard Model of particle physics. Exact stable masses are used for the definition of natural constants. → Publications

Precise knowledge of the magnetic properties of matter is essential for our fundamental understanding of physics and for practical applications. The measurement of the magnetic moment (g-factor) of the electron in extremely heavy highly charged ions allows to probe QED at the boundary of our knowledge in the most extreme fields. The high-precision comparison of the g factors of matter/antimatter counterparts provides stringent tests of charge-parity-time (CPT) invariance of the Standard Model. → Publications

Our division is involved in the COLLAPS experiment at ISOLDE/CERN in Geneva, which is aimed at the investigation of ground state properties of exotic, short lived nuclei, such as spins, electro-magnetic moments and charge radii by means of collinear laser spectroscopy. → Publications

The worldwide unique electrostatic cryogenic storage ring CSR was developed for atomic, molecular, and cluster physics experiments in a cryogenic environment. It started operation successfully in March 2015. The CSR e.g. allows to investigate the chemistry in interstellar clouds on earth and to gain fundamental insight into the "inner life" of atoms and molecules. → Publications