On dipole compression modes in nuclei

Isoscalar dipole strength distributions in spherical medium- and heavy-mass nuclei are calculated within random phase approximation (RPA) or quasiparticle RPA. Different Skyrme-type interactions corresponding to incompressibilities in the range 200 - 250 MeV are used. The results are discussed in comparison with existing data on isoscalar giant dipole resonances. Two main issues are raised, firstly the calculated giant resonance energies are somewhat higher than the observed ones, and secondly a sizable fraction of strength is predicted below 20 MeV which needs to be experimentally confirmed