Abstract :
The exploration of unknown regions of the nuclear mass chart, in particular, the neutron rich side, raised new and challenging physics issues in the understanding of nuclei far from stability. The physics of dilute neutron matter in light nuclei, the shell structure in neutron rich systems, the interface with astrophysics prompted the study of a new generation of “Radioactive Ion Beam Facilities” with high luminosity and the development of associated new experimental tools. The performances of existing facilities will be reviewed and recent proposals using nuclear fission to produce neutron rich nuclei will be presented. An ambitious European proposal based on the ISOL method “EURISOL”, is being elaborated by a network of ten laboratories. The status of ongoing studies will be discussed.
