A new theoretical method is proposed to describe the ground and excited cluster states of atomic nuclei. The method utilizes the equation-of-motion of the Gaussian wave packets to generate the basis wave functions having various cluster configurations. The generated basis wave functions are superposed to diagonalize the Hamiltonian. In other words, this method uses the real time as the generator coordinate. The application to the $3alpha$ system as a benchmark shows that the new method works efficiently and yields the result consistent with or better than the other cluster models. Brief discussion on the structure of the excited $0^+$ and $1^-$ states is also made.
Background : Recently, Bijker et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 122, 162501 (2019)] explained the rotation-vibration spectrum of 13C by assuming triangular nuclear shape with D3h symmetry. Purpose : The purpose of this work is to test the shape and symmetry of 13C based on a microscopic nuclear model without assumption of nuclear shape. Method : We have applied the real-time evolution method to 13C. By using the equation-of-motion of clusters, the model describes the 3alpha+n system without any assumption of symmetry. Results : REM described the low-lying states more accurately than the previous cluster model studies. The analysis of the wave functions showed that the ground band has approximate triangular symmetry, while the excited bands deviate from it. Conclusion : This work confirmed that the ground band has the intrinsic structure with the triangular arrangement of three alpha particles.
The low-lying cluster states of 6He (a+n+n) and 6Li (a+n+p) are calculated by the real-time evolution method (REM) which generates basis wave functions for the generator coordinate method (GCM) from the equation of motion of Gaussian wave packets. The 0+ state of 6He as well as the 1+, 0+ and 3+ states of 6Li are calculated as a benchmark. We also calculate the root-mean-square (r.m.s.) radii of the point matter, the point proton, and the point neutron of these states, particularly for the study of the halo characters of these two nuclei. It is shown that REM can be one constructive way for generating effective basis wave functions in GCM calculations.
We review some aspects of R-matrix theory and its application to the semi-empirical analysis of nuclear reactions. Important applications for nuclear astrophysics and recent results for the ${}^{12}{rm C}(alpha,gamma){}^{16}{rm O}$ reaction are emphasized.
The time-dependent covariant density functional theory in 3D lattice space has been developed and applied to investigate the microscopic dynamics of the linear-chain cluster states for carbon isotopes in the reactions $^4$He$+^8$Be and $^4$He$+^{10}$Be without any symmetry assumptions. By examining the density distribution and its time evolutions, the structure and dynamics of the linear-chain states are analyzed, and the quasiperiodic oscillations of the clusters are revealed. For $^4$He$+^8$Be, the linear-chain states evolve to a triangular configuration and then to a more compact shape. In contrast, for $^4$He$+^{10}$Be, the lifetime of the linear-chain states is much more prolonged due to the dynamical isospin effects by the valence neutrons which slow down the longitudinal oscillations of the clusters and persist the linear-chain states. The dependence of the linear chain survival time and dynamical isospin effects on impact parameters have been illustrated as well.
The molecular algebraic model based on three and four alpha clusters is used to describe the inelastic scattering of alpha particles populating low-lying states in $^{12}$C and $^{16}$O. Optical potentials and inelastic formfactors are obtained by folding densities and transition densities obtained within the molecular model. One-step and multi-step processes can be included in the reaction mechanism calculation. In spite of the simplicity of the approach the molecular model with rotations and vibrations provides a reliable description of reactions where $alpha$-cluster degrees of freedom are involved and good results are obtained for the excitation of several low-lying states. Within the same model we briefly discuss the expected selection rules for the $alpha$-transfer reactions from $^{12}$C and $^{16}$O.