Peripheral nuclear collisions as a tool to produce and study exotic nuclei

Some recent experimental results based on peripheral nuclear reactions at intermediate and relativistic energies are summarized. Reaction mechanisms for the production of exotic nuclei, separation methods, and studies with secondary beams are presented. It is now possible for the first time to provide inflight separated monoisotopic secondary beams for all elements up to uranium produced via projectile fragmentation. Unique secondary-beam experiments extend the knowledge to regions characterized by new nuclear-structure effects and new decay modes. (orig.)