Spectroscopic techniques in the study of radioactive nuclei far from stability: Results for the Z=82 region

Techniques that have been used at UNISOR for the study of the structure of very neutron-deficient Pt, Au, and Hg isotopes are described. In particular, the aspects of this experimental program which lead to the establishment of a new class of nuclear-structure phenomenon (low-lying, low-energy, electric-monopole transitions) are described. At the core of this program lies the almost unused technique of observing coincidences between γ rays and conversion electrons. Additional techniques developed at UNISOR for radioactive-decay spectroscopy far from stability are also described. Finally, the broader range of options for studying nuclear structure far from stability, with emphasis on the future, are outlined. 31 refs., 18 figs