The $E1$ strength distribution in ${}^{68}\mathrm{Ni}$ has been investigated using Coulomb excitation in inverse kinematics at the $\mathrm{R}{}^3\mathrm{B}\mathrm{\text{−}}\mathrm{LAND}$ setup and by measuring the invariant mass in the one- and two-neutron decay channels. The giant dipole resonance and a low-lying peak (pygmy dipole resonance) have been observed at 17.1(2) and 9.55(17) MeV, respectively. The measured dipole polarizability is compared to relativistic random phase approximation calculations yielding a neutron-skin thickness of 0.17(2) fm. A method and analysis applicable to neutron-rich nuclei has been developed, allowing for a precise determination of neutron skins in nuclei as a function of neutron excess.

The first measurement of the momentum distribution for one-neutron removal from ${}^{24}\mathrm{O}$ at $920A\mathrm{MeV}$ performed at GSI, Darmstadt is reported. The observed distribution has a width (FWHM) of $99\pm 4\mathrm{MeV}/c$ in the projectile rest frame and a one-neutron removal cross section of $63\pm 7\mathrm{mb}$. The results are well explained with a nearly pure $2s_{1/2}$ neutron spectroscopic factor of $1.74\pm 0.19$ within the eikonal model. This large $s$-wave probability shows a spherical shell closure thereby confirming earlier suggestions that ${}^{24}\mathrm{O}$ is a new doubly magic nucleus.

Mass excesses of short-lived $A=2Z-1$ nuclei ${}^{63}\mathrm{Ge}$, ${}^{65}\mathrm{As}$, ${}^{67}\mathrm{Se}$, and ${}^{71}\mathrm{Kr}$ have been directly measured to be $-46921(37)$, $-46937(85)$, $-46580(67)$, and $-46320(141)\mathrm{keV}$, respectively. The deduced proton separation energy of $-90(85)\mathrm{keV}$ for ${}^{65}\mathrm{As}$ shows that this nucleus is only slightly proton unbound. X-ray burst model calculations with the new mass excess of ${}^{65}\mathrm{As}$ suggest that the majority of the reaction flow passes through ${}^{64}\mathrm{Ge}$ via proton capture, indicating that ${}^{64}\mathrm{Ge}$ is not a significant $rp$-process waiting point.