Stability of the linear chain structure for $^{12}$C in covariant density functional theory on a 3D lattice

The stability of the linear chain structure of three $alpha$ clusters for $^{12}$C against the bending and fission is investigated in the cranking covariant density functional theory, in which the equation of motion is solved on a 3D lattice with the inverse Hamiltonian and the Fourier spectral methods. Starting from a twisted three $alpha$ initial configuration, it is found that the linear chain structure is stable when the rotational frequency is within the range of $sim$2.0 MeV to $sim$2.5 MeV. Beyond this range, the final states are not stable against fission. By examining the density distributions and the occupation of single-particle levels, however, these fissions are found to arise from the occupation of unphysical continuum with large angular momenta. To properly remove these unphysical continuum, a damping function for the cranking term is introduced. Eventually, the stable linear chain structure could survive up to the rotational frequency $sim$3.5 MeV, but the fission still occurs when the rotational frequency approaches to $sim$4.0 MeV.