No Arabic abstract
Densities and transition densities are computed in an equilateral triangular alpha-cluster model for $^{12}$C, in which each $alpha$ particle is taken as a gaussian density distribution. The ground-state, the symmetric vibration (Hoyle state) and the asymmetric bend vibration are analyzed in a molecular approach and dissected into their components in a series of harmonic functions, revealing their intrinsic structures. The transition densities in the laboratory frame are then used to construct form-factors and to compute DWBA inelastic cross-sections for the $^{12}$C$(alpha, alpha)$ reaction. The comparison with experimental data indicates that the simple geometrical model with rotations and vibrations gives a reliable description of reactions where $alpha$-cluster degrees of freedom are involved.
The algebraic molecular model is used in $^{12}$C to construct densities and transition densities connecting low-lying states of the rotovibrational spectrum, first and foremost those belonging to the rotational bands based on the ground and the Hoyle states. These densities are then used as basic ingredients to calculate, besides electromagnetic transition probabilities, nuclear potentials and formfactors to describe elastic and inelastic $alpha$+$^{12}$C scattering processes. The calculated densities and transition densities are also compared with those obtained by directly solving the problem of three interacting alphas within a three-body approach where continuum effects, relevant in particular for the Hoyle state, are properly taken into account.
Form factors for $alpha+{^{12}}$C inelastic scattering are obtained within two theoretical ($alpha+alpha+alpha$) approaches: The hyperspherical framework for three identical bosons, and the algebraic cluster model assuming the $D_{3h}$ symmetry of an equilateral triangle subject to rotations and vibrations. Results show a good agreement, with form factors involving the Hoyle state having a slightly larger extension within the hyperspherical approach. Coupled-channel calculations using these form factors are ongoing.
Lowest energy spectrum of the $^{12}$C nucleus is analyzed in the 3$alpha$ cluster model with a deep $alphaalpha$-potential of Buck, Friedrich and Wheatley with Pauli forbidden states in the $S$ and $D$ waves. The direct orthogonalization method is applied for the elimination of the 3$alpha$-Pauli forbidden states. The effects of possible first order quantum phase transition are shown in the lowest $^{12}$C($0_1^+)$ and $^{12}$C($2_1^+)$ states from weakly bound phase to a deep phase. The ground and lowest $2^+$ states of the $^{12}$C nucleus in the deep phase are created by the critical eigen states of the Pauli projector for the $0^+$ and $2^+$ three-alpha functional spaces, respectively.
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.
For more than half a century, the structure of $^{12}$C, such as the ground band, has been understood to be well described by the three $alpha$ cluster model based on a geometrical crystalline picture. On the contrary, recently it has been claimed that the ground state of $^{12}$C is also well described by a nonlocalized cluster model without any of the geometrical configurations originally proposed to explain the dilute gas-like Hoyle state, which is now considered to be a Bose-Einstein condensate of $alpha$ clusters. The challenging unsolved problem is how we can reconcile the two exclusive $alpha$ cluster pictures of $^{12}$C, crystalline vs nonlocalized structure. We show that the crystalline cluster picture and the nonlocalized cluster picture can be reconciled by noticing that they are a manifestation of supersolidity with properties of both crystallinity and superfluidity. This is achieved through a superfluid $alpha$ cluster model based on effective field theory, which treats the Nambu-Goldstone zero mode rigorously. For several decades, scientists have been searching for a supersolid in nature.Nuclear $alpha$ cluster structure is considered to be the first confirmed example of a stable supersolid.