Super-Radiance: From Nuclear Physics to Pentaquarks

The phenomenon of super-radiance in quantum optics predicted by Dicke 50 years ago and observed experimentally has its counterparts in many-body systems on the borderline between discrete spectrum and continuum. The interaction of overlapping resonances through the continuum leads to the redistribution of widths and creation of broad super-radiant states and long-lived compound states. We explain the physics of super-radiance and discuss applications to weakly bound nuclei, giant resonances and widths of exotic baryons.