Nuclear scattering of plane-polarized photons

Monochromatic 15.1 MeV plane-polarized photons have been scattered from seven additional targets having their $E1\mathrm{}$ giant resonances near 15 MeV. They are In, Sb, Nd, Hg, Pb, Th, and U. Photons scattered through 90° were observed in the planes both parallel and perpendicular to the plane of the polarization vector. The observation of photons scattered along the polarization vector by the spherical vibrators indicates that the giant resonance is coupled to the quadrupole oscillations of the nuclear surface. The agreement with the predictions of the dynamic collective model is not particularly striking though there is little doubt that the phenomenon is qualitatively understood.