Probing the E2 properties of the scissors mode with real photons

The E2/M1 multipole mixing ratio δ 1→2 of the 1 + sc → 2 + 1 γ -ray transition of 156 Gd and 164 Dy has been measured using the linearly polarized photon beams of the HI γ S facility. The employed method of photonscattering experiments in combination with polarized, quasi-monochromatic beams and a dedicated detector setup is highly sensitive to the electric quadrupole-decay properties of the scissors mode.