Description
Scientific and technical advances allow exploring ever-more exotic nuclear systems that approach the limits of stability in the chart of nuclides. Different regions can be accessed in different production pathways, including fusion-evaporation, fragmentation, fission, and multi-nucleon transfer reactions. Neutron-deficient nuclei including those at or near the N = Z line as well as beyond the proton drip-line, and also the heaviest nuclei are exclusively or preferably studied using high-intensity stable ion beams at Coulomb-barrier energies. These exotic nuclei allow us to study specific features of the strong interaction either in a region where protons and neutrons occupy the same orbitals or when the strong force is of similar strength as the Coulomb repulsion. Many of these nuclei are relevant for the understanding of nucleosynthesis processes. Data on such nuclei far from stability will allow benchmarking models in more exotic regions than are currently in reach. Last but not least the increasing demand for radionuclides in medical applications can be served by stable-ion beam facilities. These complement the major next-generation radioactive ion-beam facilities like the ESFRI Landmarks SPIRAL2 and FAIR, as was already highlighted in 2007 by the European COllaboration on Stable ion beams (ECOS). Here, we describe several facets of studies carried out with intense stable ion beams in the aforementioned regions in the chart of nuclides at several European facilities. These will train the next generation of scientists, which will also be indispensable to fully exploit the ESFRI Landmark facilities. Similarly, a well-trained workforce will be needed in many societally relevant applications of nuclear science. Current challenges beyond the mere construction and operation of high-intensity stable ion beam laboratories include aspects like enriched stable isotope supply, ion beam-resistant targets, and the mitigation of the impact of the soaring energy prices.