title: Phonons and Phase Transitions in Finite Nuclei.
abstract: The nature and evolution of collectivity and coherence in nuclei is one of the most fundamental issues in nuclear structure and its evolution with N and Z. Despite many experiments, the nature of nuclear vibrational modes in deformed nuclei and the nature of nuclear phase/shape transitions are not at all understood. We discuss new experiments on phonon and multi-phonon states in the rare earth nuclei and on new evidence for phase coexistence in Sm that relates to the possible existence of phase transitional behavior in finite nuclei.
authors.affiliation: Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
authors.forename: N V
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Zamfir
authors.affiliation: Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Casten
keywords: nuclear phase transitions; phase coexistence; phonon states