In the first years after the discovery of radioactivity it became clear that nuclear physics was, by excellence, the science of small quantum systems. Between the fifties and the eighties nuclear physics and elementary particles physics lived their own lives, without much interaction. During this period the basic concepts were defined. Recently, contrary to the specialization law often observed in science, the overlap between nuclear and elementary particle physics has become somewhat blurred.

This Les Houches Summer School was set up with the aim of fighting off the excessive...

This book surveys the physics of small clusters of particles undergoing oscillations and vibrations. These oscillations occur in nuclear physics and the physics and chemistry of atomic clusters. First, the authors survey experimental information on collective vibrations in atoms, metal clusters and nuclei, then they develop theoretical tools to understand these findings. Finally, they discuss important vibrational modes observed in the different systems and mechanisms for the damping of vibrational modes and the effects of excitation energy on the modes.

This book surveys the physics of small clusters of particles undergoing oscillations and vibrations. These oscillations occur in nuclear physics and the physics and chemistry of atomic clusters. First, the authors survey experimental information on collective vibrations in atoms, metal clusters and nuclei, then they develop theoretical tools to understand these findings. Finally, they discuss important vibrational modes observed in the different systems and mechanisms for the damping of vibrational modes and the effects of excitation energy on the modes.