Laser spectroscopy of the heaviest elements

Laser spectroscopy of the heaviest elements with Z>100 allows studying the influence of relativistic and QED effects on the atomic shell structure but is hampered by the low production rates available. Applying the sensitive Radiation Detected Resonance Ionization Spectroscopy technique at the SHIP velocity filter at GSI, we identified optical transitions in the element nobelium (Z=102) for the first time. Besides the identification of a strong optical ground state transition, its hyperfine structure splitting in the isotope ²⁵³No was measured along with the isotope shifts in ^252-254No. These results are discussed, and an outlook on first attempts in extending laser spectroscopy to the next heavier element, lawrencium (Z=103), is given.