Real Photon Scattering Close To The Neutron Threshold

High precision photon scattering experiments have been performed on the nuclei Ca-40, Ca-48, and Ba-138. The detailed electric dipole and quadrupole strength distributions have been measured up to about 10 MeV. Special emphasis is given on the discussion of evidence for the so called Pygmy Dipole Resonance which was predicted to exist as a fundamental excitation mode in all nuclei with neutron excess.