We have studied gas-like states of $alpha$ clusters around an $^{16}$O core in $^{24}$Mg based on a microscopic $alpha$-cluster model. This study was performed by introducing a Monte Carlo technique for the description of the THSR (Tohsaki Horiuchi Schuck R{o}pke) wave function, and the coupling effect to other low-lying cluster states was taken into account. A large isoscalar monopole ($E0$) transition strength from the ground to the gas-like state is discussed. The gas-like state of two $alpha$ clusters in $^{24}$Mg around the $^{16}$O core appears slightly below the 2$alpha$-threshold e
We investigate the existence of weakly coupled gas-like states comprised of three $alpha$ particles around an $^{16}$O core in $^{28}$Si. We calculate the excited states in $^{28}$Si using the multi-configuration mixing method based on the $^{16}$O + 3$alpha$ cluster model. We also include the $^{16}$O + $^{12}$C and $^{24}$Mg + $alpha$ basis wave functions prepared by the generator coordinate method. To identify the gas-like states, we calculate the isoscalar monopole transition strengths and the overlap of the obtained states with the geometrical cluster wave function and the Tohsaki-Horiuchi-Schuck-R{o}pke (THSR) wave function. The results show that the obtained fourth and twelfth states significantly overlap with the THSR wave function. These two states clearly coexist with the $^{16}$O + $^{12}$C cluster states, emerging at similar energies. The calculated isoscalar monopole strengths between those two states are significantly large, indicating that the states are members of the excitation mode. Furthermore, the calculated root-mean-squared (RMS) radii for these states also suggest that a layer of gas-like three $alpha$ particles could exist around the surface of the $^{16}$O core, which can be described as a two-dimensional gas in the intermediate state before the Hoyle-like three $alpha$ states emerge.
We investigate the linear-chain configurations of four-$alpha$ clusters in $^{16}$O using a Skyrme cranked Hartree-Fock method and discuss the relationship between the stability of such states and angular momentum. We show the existence of a region of angular momentum (13-18 $hbar$) where the linear chain configuration is stabilized. For the first time we demonstrate that stable exotic states with a large moment of inertia ($hbar^2/2Theta$ $sim$ 0.06-0.08 MeV) can exist.
Recently, we have determined surface distributions of $alpha$ clusters in the ground state of $^{20}mathrm{Ne}$ from $alpha$-transfer cross sections, without investigating the properties of its excited states. In this paper we extend our comprehension of $alpha$-cluster structures in excited states of nuclei through reaction studies. In particular we focus on $^{16}mathrm{O}$, for which attention has been paid to advances of structure theory and assignment regarding $4^+$-resonance states. We study the surface manifestation of the $alpha$-cluster states in both the ground and excited states of $^{16}mathrm{O}$ from the analysis of the $alpha$-transfer reaction $^{12}mathrm{C}(^6mathrm{Li},d)^{16}mathrm{O}$. The $alpha$-transfer reaction is described by the distorted-wave Born approximation. We test two microscopic wave functions as an input of reaction calculations. Then a phenomenological potential model is introduced to clarify the correspondence between cluster-wave functions and transfer-cross sections. Surface peaks of the $alpha$-wave function of $^{16}mathrm{O}(0^+)$ are sensitively probed by transfer-cross sections at forward angles, while it remains unclear how we trace the surface behavior of $^{16}mathrm{O}(4^+)$ from the cross sections. We are able to specify that the $alpha$-cluster structure in the $0_1^+$ and $0_2^+$ states prominently manifests itself at the radii $sim 4$ and $sim 4.5$~fm, respectively. It is remarkable that the $4_1^+$ state has the $^{12}mathrm{C}+alpha$-cluster component with the surface peak at the radius $sim 4$ or outer, whereas the $^{12}mathrm{C}+alpha$-cluster component in the $4_2^+$ state is found not to be dominant. The $4_2^+$ state is difficult to be interpreted by a simple potential model assuming the $^{12}mathrm{C}+alpha$ configuration only.
The present discussion rises a number of the questions. For example, is rotational coherence of large molecules necessarily destroyed in the conventionally statistical limit of structureless non-selective continuum (for fixed total spin and parity values) under the conditions of complete intramolecular energy redistribution and vibrational dephasing in the regime of strong ro-vibrational coupling? For the slow cross-symmetry phase relaxation, quantum coherent superpositions of a large number of complex configurations with, e.g., many different total angular momenta produce image of a rotation of macroscopic object with classically fixed (single) total angular momentum. Suppose that the quantum coherent superpositions involving a very large number of different good quantum numbers play a role, in a hidden form, in a formation of macroscopic world. Then why these quantum superpositions are so stable against quick aging/decay of ordered complex structures preventing or slowing down tendencies towards uniform occupation of the available phase space as prescribed by the random matrix theory? And what kind of complex macroscopic phenomena may reveal traces of partially coherent quantum superpositions involving a huge number of quantum-mechanically different integrals of motion behind of what is referred to as conservation laws in classical physics employed for the description of the macroscopic world?
Observed well-developed $alpha$ cluster states in $^{16}$O, located above the four $alpha$ threshold, are investigated from the viewpoint of Bose-Einstein condensation of $alpha$ clusters by using a field-theoretical superfluid cluster model in which the order parameter is defined. The experimental energy levels are reproduced well for the first time by calculation. In particular, the observed 16.7 MeV $0_7^+$ and 18.8 MeV $0_8^+$ states with low-excitation energies from the threshold are found to be understood as a manifestation of the states of the Nambu-Goldstone zero-mode operators, associated with the spontaneous symmetry breaking of the global phase, which is caused by the Bose-Einstein condensation of the vacuum 15.1 MeV $0^+_6$ state with a dilute well-developed $alpha$ cluster structure just above the threshold. This gives evidence of the existence of the Bose-Einstein condensate of $alpha$ clusters in $^{16}$O. It is found that the emergence of the energy level structure with a well-developed $alpha$ cluster structure above the threshold is robust, almost independently of the condensation rate of $alpha$ clusters under significant condensation rate. The finding of the mechanism why the level structure that is similar to $^{12}$C emerges above the four $alpha$ threshold in $^{16}$O reinforces the concept of Bose-Einstein condensation of $alpha$ clusters in addition to $^{12}$C.