Nonlocalized clustering in nuclei

Abstract

Cluster structures in nuclei have been studied for half a century and one central problem is how to understand and describe the relative motion of clusters. In 2001, the THSR (Tohsaki-Horiuchi-Schuck-Röpke) wave function was proposed for exploring the possible $ \alpha $ condensation in $ n\alpha $ nuclei. This novel microscopic cluster wave function provides us with a new perspective for understanding general cluster correlations in nuclei. In this article, we will review a new understanding for cluster structures, that is the concept of nonlocalized clustering, which is inspired by the THSR wave function. The concept of nonlocalized clustering is characterized as the dimensional size parameter rather than the traditional inter-cluster distance parameter. Based on this concept, a container picture is introduced for describing and understanding the complicated motion of clusters in nuclei.

Keywords

• Nuclear cluster structure
• nuclear cluster model
• THSR wave function
• Brink model
• nonlocalized clustering
• container picture