We give a brief overview of recent work examining the presence of
α-clusters in light nuclei within the Skyrme-force Hartree-Fock model.
Of special significance are investigations into α-chain structures in
carbon isotopes and 16O. Their stability and possible role in fusion
reactions are examined in static and time-dependent Hartree-Fock calculations.
We find a new type of shape transition in collisions and a centrifugal
stabilization of the 4α chain state in a limited range of angular
momenta. No stabilization is found for the 3α chain.Comment: Fusionn 11 Conference, St. Malo, France, 201