Advances in the search for superheavy elements at GSI

The nuclear shell model predicts that the next doubly magic shell-closure beyond 208Pb is at a proton number between Z = 114 and 126 and at a neutron number N = 184. The outstanding aim of experimental investigations is the exploration of this region of spherical 'SuperHeavy Elements' (SHE's). This article describes the experiments that were performed at GSI, Darmstadt. They resulted in an unambiguous identification of elements 107 to 112. They were negative so far in searching for elements 113, 116 and 118. Plans are presented for an upgrade of the experimental set-up aiming at an improved sensitivity for further exploration of SHE's. (author)