Monopole Excitation to Cluster States

We discuss strength of monopole excitation of the ground state to cluster states in light nuclei. We clarify that the monopole excitation to cluster states is in general strong as to be comparable with the single particle strength and shares an appreciable portion of the sum rule value in spite of large difference of the structure between the cluster state and the shell-model-like ground state. We argue that the essential reasons of the large strength are twofold. One is the fact that the clustering degree of freedom is possessed even by simple shell model wave functions. The detailed feature of this fact is described by the so-called Bayman-Bohr theorem which tells us that SU(3) shell model wave function is equivalent to cluster model wave function. The other is the ground state correlation induced by the activation of the cluster degrees of freedom described by the Bayman-Bohr theorem. We demonstrate, by deriving analytical expressions of monopole matrix elements, that the order of magnitude of the monopole strength is governed by the first reason, while the second reason plays a sufficient role in reproducing the data up to the factor of magnitude of the monopole strength. Our explanation is made by analysing three examples which are the monopole excitations to the $0^+_2$ and $0^+_3$ states in $^{16}$O and the one to the $0^+_2$ state in $^{12}$C. The present results imply that the measurement of strong monopole transitions or excitations is in general very useful for the study of cluster states.Comment: 11 pages, 1 figure: revised versio

Multi-cluster dynamics in Λ13C^{13}_\Lambda{\rm C} and analogy to clustering in 12C^{12}{\rm C}

We investigate structure of $^{13}_\Lambda{\rm C}$ and discuss the difference and similarity between the structures of $^{12}{\rm C}$ and $^{13}_\Lambda{\rm C}$ by answering the questions if the linear-chain and gaslike cluster states, which are proposed to appear in $^{12}{\rm C}$, survives, or new structure states appear or not. We introduce a microscopic cluster model called, Hyper-Tohsaki-Horiuchi-Schuck-R\"opke (H-THSR) wave function, which is an extended version of the THSR wave function so as to describe $\Lambda$ hypernuclei. We obtained two bound states and two resonance (quasi-bound) states for $J^\pi=0^+$ in $^{13}_\Lambda{\rm C}$, corresponding to the four $0^+$ states in $^{12}{\rm C}$. However, the inversion of level ordering between the spectra of $^{12}{\rm C}$ and $^{13}_\Lambda{\rm C}$, i.e. that the $0_3^+$ and $0_4^+$ states in $^{13}_\Lambda{\rm C}$ correspond to the $0_4^+$ and $0_3^+$ states in $^{12}{\rm C}$, respectively, is shown to occur. The additional $\Lambda$ particle reduces sizes of the $0_2^+$ and $0_3^+$ states in $^{13}_\Lambda{\rm C}$ very much, but the shrinkage of the $0_4^+$ state is only a half of the other states. In conclusion, the Hoyle state becomes quite a compact object with ${^{9}_\Lambda{\rm Be}}+\alpha$ configuration in $^{13}_\Lambda{\rm C}$ and is no more gaslike state composed of the $3\alpha$ clusters. Instead, the $0_4^+$ state in $^{13}_\Lambda{\rm C}$, coming from the $^{12}{\rm C}(0_3^+)$ state, appears as a gaslike state composed of $\alpha+\alpha+^{5}_\Lambda{\rm He}$ configuration, i.e. the Hoyle analog state. A linear-chain state in a $\Lambda$ hypernucleus is for the first time predicted to exist as the $0_3^+$ state in $^{13}_\Lambda{\rm C}$ with more shrunk arrangement of the $3\alpha$ clusters along $z$-axis than the $3\alpha$ linear-chain configuration realized in the $^{12}{\rm C}(0_4^+)$ state.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures, figures rearranged, accepted for publication in PL

Alpha-particle condensation in nuclei

A round up of the present status of the conjecture that n alpha nuclei form an alpha-particle condensate in excited states close to the n alpha threshold is given. Experiments which could demonstrate the condensate character are proposed. Possible lines of further theoretical developments are discussed.Comment: 6 page

Alpha Decay Width of 212^{212}Po from a quartetting wave function approach

A microscopic calculation of $\alpha$-cluster preformation probability and $\alpha$ decay width in the typical $\alpha$ emitter $^{212}$Po is presented. Results are obtained by improving a recent approach to describe $\alpha$ preformation in $^{212}$Po [Phys. Rev. C 90, 034304 (2014)] implementing four-nucleon correlations (quartetting). Using the actually measured density distribution of the $^{208}$ Pb core, the calculated alpha decay width of $^{212}$Po agrees fairly well with the measured one.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures, 1 table, submitted to Phys. Rev.

Bound clusters on top of doubly magic nuclei

An effective $\alpha$ particle equation is derived for cases where an $\alpha$ particle is formed on top of a doubly magic nucleus. As an example, we consider $^{212}$Po with the $\alpha$ on top of the $^{208}$ Pb core. We will consider the core nucleus infinitely heavy, so that the $\alpha$ particle moves with respect to a fixed center, i.e., recoil effects are neglected. The fully quantal solution of the problem is discussed. The approach is inspired by the THSR (Tohsaki-Horiuchi-Schuck-R\"{o}pke) wave function concept that has been successfully applied to light nuclei. Shell model calculations are improved by including four-particle ($\alpha$-like) correlations that are of relevance when the matter density becomes low. In the region where the $\alpha$-like cluster penetrates the core nucleus, the intrinsic bound state wave function transforms at a critical density into an unbound four-nucleon shell model state. Exploratory calculations for $^{212}$Po are presented. Such preformed cluster states are only hardly described by shell model calculations. Reasons for different physics behavior of an $\alpha$-like cluster with respect to a deuteron-like cluster are discussed.Comment: 24 pages, 5 figure

Criterion for Bose-Einstein condensation in traps and self-bound systems

The internal one-particle density matrix is discussed for Bose-Einstein condensates with finite number of particles in a harmonic trap. The outcome of the digonalization of the density matrix depends on the choice of the internal coordinates: The Pethick-Pitaevskii-type internal density matrix, whose analytical eigenvalues and eigenfunctions are evaluated, yields a fragmented condensate, while the Jacobi-type internal density matrix leads to an ideal condensate. We give a criterion for the choice of the internal coordinates: In the macroscopic limit the internal density matrix should have eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of an ideal Bose-Einstein condensate, this being a very physical condition for cases where the system is also an ideal Bose condensation in the laboratory frame. One choice fulfilling this boundary condition is given by the internal Jacobi coordinates, while the internal coordinates with respect to the center of mass do not satisfy the condition. Based on our criterion, a general definition of the internal one-particle density matrix is presented in a self-bound system, consisting of interacting bosons.Comment: Shortened to Brief repor

Open Problems in α\alpha Particle Condensation

$\alpha$ particle condensation is a novel state in nuclear systems. We briefly review the present status on the study of $\alpha$ particle condensation and address the open problems in this research field: $\alpha$ particle condensation in heavier systems other than the Hoyle state, linear chain and $\alpha$ particle rings, Hoyle-analogue states with extra neutrons, $\alpha$ particle condensation related to astrophysics, etc.Comment: 12 pages. To be published in J. of Phys. G special issue on Open Problems in Nuclear Structure (OPeNST

Nuclear Alpha-Particle Condensates

The $\alpha$-particle condensate in nuclei is a novel state described by a product state of $\alpha$'s, all with their c.o.m. in the lowest 0S orbit. We demonstrate that a typical $\alpha$-particle condensate is the Hoyle state ($E_{x}=7.65$ MeV, $0^+_2$ state in $^{12}$C), which plays a crucial role for the synthesis of $^{12}$C in the universe. The influence of antisymmentrization in the Hoyle state on the bosonic character of the $\alpha$ particle is discussed in detail. It is shown to be weak. The bosonic aspects in the Hoyle state, therefore, are predominant. It is conjectured that $\alpha$-particle condensate states also exist in heavier $n\alpha$ nuclei, like $^{16}$O, $^{20}$Ne, etc. For instance the $0^+_6$ state of $^{16}$O at $E_{x}=15.1$ MeV is identified from a theoretical analysis as being a strong candidate of a $4\alpha$ condensate. The calculated small width (34 keV) of $0^+_6$, consistent with data, lends credit to the existence of heavier Hoyle-analogue states. In non-self-conjugated nuclei such as $^{11}$B and $^{13}$C, we discuss candidates for the product states of clusters, composed of $\alpha$'s, triton's, and neutrons etc. The relationship of $\alpha$-particle condensation in finite nuclei to quartetting in symmetric nuclear matter is investigated with the help of an in-medium modified four-nucleon equation. A nonlinear order parameter equation for quartet condensation is derived and solved for $\alpha$ particle condensation in infinite nuclear matter. The strong qualitative difference with the pairing case is pointed out.Comment: 71 pages, 41 figures, review article, to be published in "Cluster in Nuclei (Lecture Notes in Physics) - Vol.2 -", ed. by C. Beck, (Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 2011