In-beam spectroscopy of the heaviest elements

In-beam spectroscopy provides many powerful tools for the detailed study of nuclear structure. Over the past two decades the coupling of sensitive in-beam spectrometers to recoil separators has allowed the study of weakly populated reaction channels, such as the fusion-evaporation reactions leading to nuclei beyond fermium (Z = 100). The methods, observables, and limitations of this approach are discussed.