In-beam nuclear spectroscopy of bound states with fast exotic ion beams

The often surprising properties of nuclei beyond the valley of ββ stability have prompted extensive experimental and theoretical studies aimed at identifying the driving forces behind the dramatic changes in nuclear structure that are encountered in exotic nuclear systems. Many of the most exotic nuclear species are available for experiments as fast ion beams with velocities exceeding 30% of the speed of light. Intermediate-energy Coulomb excitation, inelastic proton scattering and nucleon removal reactions have evolved from novel techniques to versatile spectroscopic tools that provide information on the single-particle structure and on collective degrees of freedom in nuclei accessible for experiments at beam rates of a few ions/s. In this review, we summarize recent developments and achievements in experimental nuclear structure physics that involve in-beam spectroscopy of bound states utilizing fast beams of rare ions.