Studies of clustering in light nuclei
ORAL · Invited
Abstract
Clustering in nuclei is a remarkable manifestation of emergent quantum phenomena. It arises naturally from nucleon–nucleon interactions and quantum many-body dynamics through an interplay of correlations, symmetry constraints, and continuum coupling.
Alpha clustering, in particular, provides a striking example of how complex many-body systems can self-organize into correlated substructures. Over the past decades, substantial theoretical and experimental advances have deepened our understanding of nuclear clustering, with implications ranging from fundamental nuclear structure, reactions and astrophysical processes.
In this presentation, I will review recent theoretical progress together with the latest experimental studies that address key questions in clustering physics.
On the theory side, within configuration-interaction frameworks, I will address clustering correlations and quartets; geometric aspects and cross-shell excitations; the role of the Pauli principle; the structure, normalization, and non-orthogonality of cluster channels; and the interplay among cluster channels, particle-decay channels, and collective phenomena. I will also discuss how near-threshold dynamics facilitate clustering.
In parallel, I will discuss experimental developments enabled by novel techniques that provide important tests of theory: the evolution of clustering away from the 4N line and in mirror systems; the impact of additional valence nucleons, which mediate a delicate balance between cluster and single-nucleon degrees of freedom; and threshold and Coulomb effects, including the Thomas–Ehrman shift. The discussion will extend to alpha-cluster states at high excitation energies, possible superradiant behavior, and the role of continuum coupling in shaping the distribution of clustering strength.
Together, these developments establish a unified framework in which clustering emerges naturally and can be probed by coupled theory–experiment benchmarks.
Alpha clustering, in particular, provides a striking example of how complex many-body systems can self-organize into correlated substructures. Over the past decades, substantial theoretical and experimental advances have deepened our understanding of nuclear clustering, with implications ranging from fundamental nuclear structure, reactions and astrophysical processes.
In this presentation, I will review recent theoretical progress together with the latest experimental studies that address key questions in clustering physics.
On the theory side, within configuration-interaction frameworks, I will address clustering correlations and quartets; geometric aspects and cross-shell excitations; the role of the Pauli principle; the structure, normalization, and non-orthogonality of cluster channels; and the interplay among cluster channels, particle-decay channels, and collective phenomena. I will also discuss how near-threshold dynamics facilitate clustering.
In parallel, I will discuss experimental developments enabled by novel techniques that provide important tests of theory: the evolution of clustering away from the 4N line and in mirror systems; the impact of additional valence nucleons, which mediate a delicate balance between cluster and single-nucleon degrees of freedom; and threshold and Coulomb effects, including the Thomas–Ehrman shift. The discussion will extend to alpha-cluster states at high excitation energies, possible superradiant behavior, and the role of continuum coupling in shaping the distribution of clustering strength.
Together, these developments establish a unified framework in which clustering emerges naturally and can be probed by coupled theory–experiment benchmarks.
*This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Nuclear Physics under Award No. DE-SC0009883.
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Publication: A. Volya, M. Barbui, V. Z. Goldberg, and G. V. Rogachev, Superradiance in alpha clustered mirror nuclei, Commun Phys 5, 1 (2022).
A. Volya, V. Z. Goldberg, A. K. Nurmukhanbetova, D. K. Nauruzbayev, and G. V. Rogachev, Lowest-energy broad α-cluster resonances in ¹⁹F, Phys. Rev. C 105, 014614 (2022).
K. Kravvaris and A. Volya, Study of nuclear clustering from an ab initio perspective, Phys. Rev. Lett. 119, 62501 (2017).
Presenters
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Alexander Volya
- Florida State University