Multiphonon Giant Resonances

Abstract

A new class of giant resonances in nuclei is discussed, i.e., giant resonances built on other giant resonances. These resonances are observed with very large cross sections in relativistic heavy ion collisions. A great experimental and theoretical effort is underway to understand the reaction mechanism which leads to the excitation of these states in nuclei, as well as the better microscopic understanding of their properties, e.g., strength, energy centroids, widths, and anharmonicities.