Perspectives for laser spectroscopy of the element nobelium

Strong efforts are undertaken at GSI in Darmstadt preparing for laser spectroscopy of the synthetic element nobelium. Several excimer- and dye lasers will be used in the forthcoming search for the $^1$P$_1$ -level in 254No. Based on the highly-efficient Radiation Detected Resonance Ionization Spectroscopy (RADRIS) technique, the identification of this excited state predicted around 3.8 eV becomes possible within a relatively short period of beam-time. This will form the basis for future studies of the atomic structure of the heaviest elements.