Double-component model fitting of elliptical gal.

We are motivated by recent observational evidence of significant size growth of quiescent galaxies and theoretical development advocating a two-phase formation scenario for ETGs. We find that a significant fraction of nearby ETGs show changes in isophotal shape that require multi-component models.

The characteristic sizes of the inner and outer component are ~3 and ~15kpc. The inner component lies on the mass-size relation of ETGs at z~0.25-0.75, while the outer component tends to be more elliptical and hints at a stochastic buildup process. We find real physical differences between single- and double-component ETGs, with double-component galaxies being younger and more metal-rich.