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The molecular algebraic model based on three and four alpha clusters is used to describe the inelastic scattering of alpha particles populating low-lying states in $^{12}$C and $^{16}$O. Optical potentials and inelastic formfactors are obtained by folding densities and transition densities obtained within the molecular model. One-step and multi-step processes can be included in the reaction mechanism calculation. In spite of the simplicity of the approach the molecular model with rotations and vibrations provides a reliable description of reactions where $\alpha$-cluster degrees of freedom are involved and good results are obtained for the excitation of several low-lying states. Within the same model we briefly discuss the expected selection rules for the $\alpha$-transfer reactions from $^{12}$C and $^{16}$O., Comment: 8 pages, 8 figures; submitted to EPJA special issue Cluster Structure and Dynamics of Nuclei - A Tribute to Mahir Hussein

A method has been recently proposed to establish the geometry of the alpha-cluster arrangement in $^{12}$C making use of polarized gamma-rays. The ratio of intensities of scattered radiation at 90 degrees along and perpendicular to the initial direction of the electric field vector, called depolarization ratio, is a key quantity that allows to underpin the nature of totally symmetric modes of vibrations. This allows to connect with the underlying point-group structure and therefore to the geometric shape of the nuclear molecule. This method is reviewed for $^{12}$C and extended to other configurations, such as three unequal clusters and four identical clusters (e.g. $^{16}$O)., Proceedings of the 24th edition of European Few Body Conference, Surrey, UK, 2-4 September 2019

Weakly bound and unbound three-body nuclei are studied by using the pseudostate method within the hyperspherical formalism. After introducing the theoretical framework, the method is applied first to the $\boldsymbol{^9}$Be nucleus, showing a good agreement with the available data for its low-lying dipole response. Then, recent results on the structure and decay of the two-neutron emitters $\boldsymbol{^{26}}$O and $\boldsymbol{^{16}}$Be are presented. In particular, the role of the $\boldsymbol{n}$-$\boldsymbol{n}$ correlation in shaping their properties is discussed., Proceedings of the 24th European Conference of Few-Body Problems in Physics (EFB24); SciPost contribution

We give an account of the main achievements of the scientific career of Andrea Vitturi so far, that have recently been discussed during the workshop "Theoretical Nuclear Physics in Padova" on the occasion of his retirement from full professor at the University of Padova. He has oftentimes been the driving force behind numerous contributions to nuclear structure and nuclear reactions that are here reviewed: giant resonances, pairing correlations, collective modes, algebraic models, inelastic excitations, electromagnetic response, break-up and transfer reactions, coupled-channel formalism, clustering, subbarrier fusion processes, etc. Among these topics several inspirational works and ideas can be found that we would like to highlight.

We study the two-neutron correlations in the ground state of the weakly-bound two-neutron halo nucleus $^{22}$C sitting at the edge of the neutron-drip line and also in the unbound nucleus $^{26}$O sitting beyond the neutron dripline. For the present study, we employ a three-body (core$+n+n$) structure model designed for describing the two-neutron halo system by explicit inclusion of unbound continuum states of the subsystem (core$+n$). We use either a density-independent or a density-dependent contact-delta interaction to describe the neutron-neutron interaction and its strength is varied to fix the binding energy. We report the configuration mixing in the ground state of these systems for different choices of pairing interactions., 4 Pages, 1 Figure, 2 Tables. 13th International Conference on Nucleus-Nucleus Collisions (NN2018)

In this contribution I will review some of the researches that are currently being pursued in Padova (mainly within the In:Theory and Strength projects), focusing on the interdisciplinary applications of nuclear theory to several other branches of physics, with the aim of contributing to show the centrality of nuclear theory in the Italian scientific scenario and the prominence of this fertile field in fostering new physics. In particular, I will talk about: i) the recent solution of the long-standing "electron screening puzzle" that settles a fundamental controversy in nuclear astrophysics between the outcome of lab experiments on earth and nuclear reactions happening in stars; the application of algebraic methods to very diverse systems such as: ii) the supramolecular complex H2@C60, i.e. a diatomic hydrogen molecule caged in a fullerene and iii) to the spectrum of hypernuclei, i.e. systems made of a Lambda particles trapped in (heavy) nuclei., Comment: Based on the talk presented at: TNPI2016 - XV Conference on Theoretical Nuclear Physics in Italy

After recapitulating the procedure to find the bands and the states occurring in the $\mathcal{D}_{3h}$ alpha-cluster model of $^{12}$C in which the clusters are placed at the vertexes of an equilateral triangle, we obtain the selection rules for electromagnetic transitions. While the alpha cluster structure leads to the cancellation of E1 transitions, the approximations carried out in deriving the roto-vibrational hamiltonian lead to the disappearance of M1 transitions. Furthermore, although in general the lowest active modes are E2, E3, $\cdots$ and M2, M3, $\cdots$, the cancellation of M2, M3 and M5 transitions between certain bands also occurs, as a result of the application of group theoretical techniques drawn from molecular physics. These implications can be very relevant for the spectroscopic analysis of $\gamma$-ray spectra of $^{12}$C.

An analytical solution of the collective Bohr equation with a Coulomb-like and a Kratzer-like $��-$unstable potential in quadrupole deformation space is presented. Eigenvalues and eigenfunctions are given in closed form and transition rates are calculated for the two cases. The corresponding SO(2,1)$\times$SO(5) algebraic structure is discussed., 9 pages, 4 figures in one .ps file

The decay process of the schematic one-dimensional three-body system is considered. A time-dependent approach is used in combination with a one-dimensional three-body model, which is composed of a heavier core nucleus and two nucleons, with the aim of describing its evolution in two-nucleon emission. The process is calculated from the initial state, in which the three ingredient particles are confined. In this process, two different types of emission can be found: the earlier process includes the emission of spatially correlated two-nucleon pair, like a dinucleon, whereas, at a subsequent time, all the particles are separated from each other. The time-dependent method can be a suitable option to investigate the meta-stable and/or open-quantum systems, where the complicated many-body dynamics should necessarily be taken into account., Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures. Final version appears as the proceeding of "XXXV Mazurian Lakes Conference on Physics"

Accurate measurements of nuclear reactions of astrophysical interest within, or close to, the Gamow peak, show evidence of an unexpected effect attributed to the presence of atomic electrons in the target. The experiments need to include an effective "screening" potential to explain the enhancement of the cross sections at the lowest measurable energies. Despite various theoretical studies conducted over the past 20 years and numerous experimental measurements, a theory has not yet been found that can explain the cause of the exceedingly high values of the screening potential needed to explain the data. In this letter we show that instead of an atomic physics solution of the "electron screening puzzle", the reason for the large screening potential values is in fact due to clusterization effects in nuclear reactions, in particular for reaction involving light nuclei., Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures, accepted for publication in Physics Letters B

The Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) formalism is extended by including the single-particle continuum in order to analyse the evolution of pairing in an isotopic chain from stability up to the drip line. We propose a continuum discretized generalized BCS based on single-particle pseudostates (PS). These PS are generated from the diagonalization of the single-particle Hamiltonian within a Transformed Harmonic Oscillator (THO) basis. The consistency of the results versus the size of the basis is studied. The method is applied to neutron rich Oxygen and Carbon isotopes and compared with similar previous works and available experimental data. We make use of the flexibility of the proposed model in order to study the evolution of the occupation of the low-energy continuum when the system becomes weakly bound. We find a larger influence of the non-resonant continuum as long as the Fermi level approaches zero., Comment: 20 pages, 16 figures, to be submitted

We analyze in detail the quantum phase transitions that arise in models based on the $u(2)$ algebraic description for bosonic systems with two types of scalar bosons. First we discuss the quantum phase transition that occurs in hamiltonians that admix the two dynamical symmetry chains $u(2)\supset u(1)$ and $u(2)\supset so(2)$ by diagonalizing the problem exactly in the $u(1)$ basis. Then we apply the coherent state formalism to determine the energy functional. Finally we show that a quantum phase transition of a different nature, but displaying similar characteristics, may arise also within a single chain just by including higher order terms in the hamiltonian., 5 figures

Mirror isobars $^7$Li and $^7$Be are investigated in a dicluster model. The magnetic dipole moments and the magnetic dipole response to the continuum are calculated in this framework. The magnetic contribution is found to be small with respect to electric dipole and quadrupole excitations even at astrophysical energies, at a variance with the case of deuteron. Energy weighted molecular sum rules are evaluated and a formula for the molecular magnetic dipole sum rule is found which matches the numerical calculations. Cross-sections for photo-dissociation and radiative capture as well as the S-factor for reactions of astrophysical significance are calculated with good agreement with known experimental data., Accepted in EPJA

We investigate the role of higher multipole excitations in the electromagnetic dissociation of one-neutron halo nuclei within two different theoretical models -- a finite range distorted wave Born approximation and another in a more analytical method with a finite range potential. We also show, within a simple picture, how the presence of a weakly bound state affects the breakup cross section., Comment: 8 pages, 9 figures

The Bohr-Mottelson model is solved for a generic soft triaxial nucleus, separating the Bohr hamiltonian exactly and using a number of different model-potentials: a displaced harmonic oscillator in $\gamma$, which is solved with an approximated algebraic technique, and Coulomb/Kratzer, harmonic/Davidson and infinite square well potentials in $\beta$, which are solved exactly. In each case we derive analytic expressions for the eigenenergies which are then used to calculate energy spectra. Here we study the chain of osmium isotopes and we compare our results with experimental information and previous calculations., Comment: 13 pages, 9 figures

The light weakly-bound nucleus $^7$Li is studied within a dicluster $\alpha+t$ picture. Different observables obtained within our simple model are compared with previous calculations and experiments showing good agreement. In particular we calculate dipole and quadrupole electromagnetic response to the continuum. The energy distribution of B(E$\lambda$) values are consistent with the energy weighted molecular sum rule and display a sizable contribution of non-resonant character arising from the weak binding property. The corresponding form factors for excitations to the continuum are used in a semiclassical coupled channel scheme to get estimates for the break-up cross section in a heavy ion reaction. The nuclear contribution is found to play an important role in the process for bombarding energies around the Coulomb barrier. The masses and charges ratios of the two clusters are shown to lead to features of the cluster halo that may significantly differ from the one usually associated with one-nucleon haloes., Comment: Accepted in EPJ A: 8 pages, 5 figures

The phase transition around the critical point in the evolution from spherical to deformed gamma-unstable shapes is investigated in odd nuclei within the Interacting Boson Fermion Model. We consider the particular case of an odd j=3/2 particle coupled to an even-even boson core that undergoes a transition from spherical U(5) to gamma-unstable O(6) situation. The particular choice of the j=3/2 orbital preserves in the odd case the condition of gamma-instability of the system. As a consequence, energy spectrum and electromagnetic transitions, in correspondence of the critical point, display behaviours qualitatively similar to those of the even core. The results are also in qualitative agreement with the recently proposed E(5/4) model, although few differences are present, due to the different nature of the two schemes., Comment: In press in PRC as rapid communication. 7 pages, 4 figures

The Bohr hamiltonian, also called collective hamiltonian, is one of the cornerstone of nuclear physics and a wealth of solutions (analytic or approximated) of the associated eigenvalue equation have been proposed over more than half a century (confining ourselves to the quadrupole degree of freedom). Each particular solution is associated with a peculiar form for the $V(\beta,\gamma)$ potential. The large number and the different details of the mathematical derivation of these solutions, as well as their increased and renewed importance for nuclear structure and spectroscopy, demand a thorough discussion. It is the aim of the present monograph to present in detail all the known solutions in $\gamma-$unstable and $\gamma-$stable cases, in a taxonomic and didactical way. In pursuing this task we especially stressed the mathematical side leaving the discussion of the physics to already published comprehensive material. The paper contains also a new approximate solution for the linear potential, and a new solution for prolate and oblate soft axial rotors, as well as some new formulae and comments, and an appendix on the analysis of a few interesting numerical sequences appearing in this context. The quasi-dynamical SO(2) symmetry is proposed in connection with the labeling of bands in triaxial nuclei., Comment: 48 pages, 28 figures, 6 tables

The interplay of nuclear and Coulomb processes in the inelastic excitation of single- and double-phonon giant resonances in heavy ion collisions is studied within a simple reaction model. Predominance of the Coulomb excitation mechanism on the population of the single-phonon and, on the contrary, predominance of the nuclear excitation for the double-phonon is evidenced. The effect of the spreading of the strength distribution of the giant resonances on the excitation process is analyzed, showing sizeable modifications in the case of Coulomb dominated processes., Accepten in Nuclear Physics A. 10 eps figures and source file in an uncompressed tar package

We investigate the possible signature of the presence of giant pairing states at excitation energy of about 10 MeV via two-particle transfer reactions induced by neutron-rich weakly-bound projectiles. Performing particle-particle RPA calculations on $^{208}$Pb and BCS+RPA calculations on $^{116}$Sn, we obtain the pairing strength distribution for two particles addition and removal modes. Estimates of two-particle transfer cross sections can be obtained in the framework of the 'macroscopic model'. The weak-binding nature of the projectile kinematically favours transitions to high-lying states. In the case of $(~^6He, \~^4He)$ reaction we predict a population of the Giant Pairing Vibration with cross sections of the order of a millibarn, dominating over the mismatched transition to the ground state., Talk presented in occasion of the VII School-Semina r on Heavy Ion Physics hosted by the Flerov Laboratory (FLNR/JINR) Dubna, Russia from May 27 to June 2, 2002

This study is focused on the break-up and electromagnetic response of light weakly-bound dicluster nuclei. The cluster picture in the case of $ ^7$Li is shown to be a very good approximation and in this framework we calculate nuclear structure observables. We solve the Schr\"odinger equation for the relative motion both for discrete and continuum states and this automatically takes into a proper account the role of resonances. A concentration of strength in the low energy continuum, solely due to the weakly-bound nature of the bound states is seen and explained as a favourable matching between the wavelengths of the initial and final states. Finally preliminary results on form factors are briefly outlined and their microscopic derivation as well as utilization in reaction studies is discussed., Comment: Contribution to the "Symposium on Nuclear Clusters:from Light Exotic to Superheavy Nuclei" 284. WE-Heraeus-Seminar, help in Rauischholzhausen (near Marburg) Germany, 5--9 August 2002. 2 pages, 1 combined figure, rauisch.sty used

The problem of one pair of identical nucleons sitting in ${\cal N}$ single particle levels of a potential well and interacting through the pairing force is treated introducing even Grassmann variables. The eigenvectors are analytically expressed solely in terms of these with coefficients fixed by the eigenvalues and the single particle energies. When the latter are those of an harmonic oscillator well an accurate expression is derived for both the collective eigenvalue and for those trapped in between the single particle levels, for any strength of the pairing interaction and for any number of levels. Notably the trapped solutions are labelled through an index upon which they depend parabolically., 5 pages, 1 postscript figure

The Levi-Malcev decomposition is applied to bosonic models of quantum mechanics based on unitary Lie algebras u(2), u(2)+u(2), u(3) and u(4) to clearly disentangle semisimple subalgebras. The theory of weighted Dynkin diagrams is then applied to identify conjugacy classes of relevant A_1 subalgebras allowing to introduce a complete classification of new angular momentum non conserving (AMNC) dynamical symmetries. The tensor analysis of the whole algebra based on the new "angular momentum" operators reveals unexpected spinors to occur in purely bosonic models. The new chains of subalgebra can be invoked to set up ANMC bases for diagonalization., to be published in J.P.A