Nuclear polarization effects in Coulomb excitation studies

New polarization potentials have been determined based on: 1) the latest photo-neutron cross section evaluation and a missing factor of two in previous work, and 2) the mass dependency of the symmetry energy, $a_{sym}(A)$. The magnitude of the first one is 35\% stronger than the currently accepted polarization potential. The second one opens up the possibility for a parameter-free polarization potential. Both polarization potentials are essentially the same for heavy nuclei. The polarization effect on quadrupole collectivity is more substantial than previously assumed for light nuclei. Particular cases are discussed where long-standing discrepancies between high-precision Coulomb-excitation and lifetime measurements still remain. A solution to the long-standing discrepancy between $B(E2; 0^+_1\rightarrow 2^+_1)$ values determined in $^{18}$O by several Coulomb-excitation studies and a high-precision lifetime measurement is provided in favor of the latter. Polarization effects in light nuclei also influence the determination of spectroscopic quadrupole moments in Coulomb-excitation measurements. The hindrance of polarizability observed in the photo-neutron cross section for single-closed shell nuclei is calculated to have a negligible effect on quadrupole collectivity, within the existing experimental uncertainties.