Microsecond isomers in the magic regions 78Ni and 132Sn

This paper reviews the status of the microsecond isomer spectroscopy in the vicinity of the doubly magic nuclei 78Ni and 132Sn. The various experimental techniques used for producing these isomers and for studying their γ and conversion-electron decay are discussed. The recently measured data on the energy levels and the electromagnetic transition rates have considerably increased the nuclear structure information in these two magic regions. They provide the opportunity for testing the predictive power of the shell model far away from the line of stability. (topical review)