The configurational splitting of the giant dipole resonance

This review considers the history and meaning of the phenomenon of configurational splitting of giant dipole resonance in light nuclei, which was first discovered a quarter of a century ago and induced pro found changes in the commonly accepted understanding of the structure of light nuclei and the mechanisms of their highenergy excitations. The experiments that led to the discovery of this phenomenon are described. The present status of the phenomenon of the configurational splitting of nuclear giant dipole resonance is dis cussed and directions of its future studies are outlined.