Fast unstable nuclear beam facilities: present and future

A review is given of the present and future facilities for the production and acceleration of unstable nuclear beams for exciting physics research at the limits of nuclear stability. The various methods for the production of unstable beams using in-flight and ISOL techniques with thick and thin targets are discussed, including their advantages and disadvantages. Some typical examples of facilities are shown. New concepts, future research developments and proposals for ambitious large facilities to meet the challenges of the future are described. To cite this article: A.C.C. Villari, J.R.J. Bennett, C. R. Physique 4 (2003).