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Background: Whether or not the $\alpha$ ($^4$He nucleus) clustering exists in the medium-mass region of nuclear systems is a fundamental and intriguing question. However, the recent analysis of the $\alpha$ knockout reaction on $^{48}$Ti [Phys. Rev. C 103, L031305 (2021)] poses a puzzle: The microscopic wave function gives an $\alpha$ knockout cross section that is two orders of magnitude smaller than the experiment, while basic nuclear properties such as the charge radius and the electromagnetic transition probabilities are well explained. Purpose: The ground-state structure of $^{48}$Ti is investigated by using proton- and $\alpha$-nucleus elastic scattering at a few to several hundred MeV, which offers different sensitivity to the region of the nuclear density profiles. Method: Four types of density distributions, the $jj$-coupling shell model and three cluster model configurations, are generated in a single scheme by the antisymmetrized quasi-cluster model (AQCM). The angular distribution of the proton- and $\alpha$-$^{48}$Ti elastic scattering cross sections are obtained with a reliable high-energy reaction theory, the Glauber model. Results: The $jj$-coupling shell model configuration is found to best reproduce the proton-nucleus elastic scattering cross section. On the other hand, the trace of the $\alpha$ cluster structure in the tail region of the wave function is embedded in the $\alpha$-nucleus elastic scattering cross section. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the structure of the nucleus changes as a function of distance from the center, from the $jj$-coupling shell model structure in the surface region to the $\alpha$+$^{44}$Ca cluster structure in the tail region. This picture is consistent with the finding of the $\alpha$ knockout reaction on $^{48}$Ti., Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures

Background: The four-neutron correlation has been attracting much attention for decades. In addition to the study on the tetra-neutron system, it is worthwhile to investigate the correlation in bound systems. Purpose: The $^8$He nucleus is a system where four neutrons are weakly bound around the $^4$He core. The dineutron ($2n$) correlation has been long discussed in various weakly-bound neutron-rich nuclei such as $^6$He and $^{11}$Li, whereas the $^8$He nucleus gives us an opportunity to investigate the $2n$-$2n$ type four-neutron correlation. Methods: We introduce a microscopic $^4{\rm He}+4n$ model and describe the ground-state structure of $^8$He. The mixing of the two-$2n$ component in the ground state is examined. The ground-state wave function is verified by investigating various observables including high-energy scattering cross sections. Results: Our model reasonably reproduces the available experimental data, the binding energy, charge radius, total reaction cross section, and proton-nucleus elastic scattering cross section data. We find that the significant mixing of the two-$2n$ cluster configurations around $^4$He in the ground state of $^8$He: The ground state has a squared overlap of about 45% with a $2n$-$^4$He-$2n$ configuration with the $^4$He-$2n$ distance of 3 fm and opening angle of 80$^\circ$. Conclusion: The ground state of $^8$He contains a certain amount of the two-$2n$ cluster component, indicating the strong nuclear deformation, which was experimentally observed recently., Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures

We explore the structure of the ground state of $^{20}$Ne by investigating various density profiles. Four candidates for the ground state configurations, (a) $j$-$j$ coupling and (b) SU(3) shell model and (c) $5\alpha$ and (d) $^{16}{\rm O}+\alpha$ cluster model configurations are generated by utilizing the antisymmetrized quasicluster model. A high-energy reaction theory, the Glauber model, relates these one-body density distributions and reaction observables. The angular distributions of the elastic scattering cross sections clearly distinguish these configurations and tell which is the most plausible one: The ground state of $^{20}$Ne favors a 16+4 nucleon bi-cluster structure. A comprehensive investigation of other electric observables also supports this conclusion., Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures

We systematically investigate the relation between the nuclear structure and reaction in the $^{10}$Be nucleus using a theoretical framework. The structure of the $^{10}$Be nucleus is constructed with a cluster model based on a microscopic viewpoint. In this paper, the $^{10}$Be nucleus with different structures is prepared by manipulating the parameters of an effective nucleon-nucleon interaction. The nuclear structure and expectation values of physical quantities are drastically changed by the modification. We summarize such changes and show the effects on the elastic and inelastic scatterings for the proton and $^{12}$C targets in the microscopic coupled-channel calculation. Especially, we recently reported the visualization of dineutron correlation in $^{10}$Be on proton inelastic scattering in [Phys. Rev. C104, 034613 (2021)]. In this preceding work, we found that the changing the degree of dineutron correlation in $^{10}$Be leads to drastic changes of the inelastic cross section for the 2$_2^+$ state. The development (or breaking) of the dineutron correlation is governed by the strength of the spin-orbit interaction of the structure calculation. However, in the previous work, some of the realistic physical points were missing, for example, the binding energy. Therefore, we reconstruct the $^{10}$Be nucleus by adjusting the effective nucleon-nucleon interaction to obtain the reasonable binding energy of the ground state. With this improvement, we again discuss the dineutron correlation in the $^{10}$Be nucleus. We reconfirm the way to measure the degree of the development (or breaking) of dineutron cluster structure; the sensitivity to the inelastic cross section of the ground state to the 2$_2^+$ state of $^{10}$Be., Comment: 33 pages, 16 figures, 5 tables. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:2105.03025

The $^{4}$He nucleus is a well bound and highly correlated four-nucleon system that is also found in form of $\alpha$-clusters as substructure in nuclear many-body systems. The standard single-particle shell model cannot represent these four-body correlations. It is highly desirable to find a simple way to identify and distinguish these fundamental structures without large-scale computations. In this paper, we investigate with intrinsic Slater determinants as trial states in how far these two competing pictures prevail in the ground states of $^{12}$C and $^{16}$O. The trial states can describe both the $j$-$j$ coupling shell-model and $\alpha$-cluster configurations in a unified way. One-body density distributions of the trial states are calculated and compared to elastic scattering cross section data. The parameters of the trial state are chosen to reproduce the experimental charge radii. A well developed cluster structure is characterized by an enhancement of the differential elastic scattering cross sections, as well as the elastic charge form factors around the first peak positions. The density profiles of the internal regions can also be probed at higher momentum transfer regions beyond the second minimum. With these trial states one can visualize the competition between cluster and shell structure in an intuitive and simple way., Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, to appear in Phys. Rev. C (Letter)

We investigate the degree of $\alpha$ ($^4$He nucleus) clustering in the ground-state density profiles of $^{44}$Ti and $^{52}$Ti. Two types of density distributions, shell- and cluster-model configurations, are generated fully microscopically with the antisymmetrized quasi-cluster model, which can describe both the j-j coupling shell and $\alpha$-cluster configurations in a single scheme. Despite both the models reproducing measured charge radius data, we found that the $\alpha$ clustering significantly diffuses the density profiles near the nuclear surface compared to the ideal j-j coupling shell model configuration. The effect is most significant for $^{44}$Ti, while it is less for $^{52}$Ti due to the occupation of the $0f_{7/2}$ orbits in the $^{48}$Ca core. This difference can be detected by measuring proton-nucleus elastic scattering or the total reaction cross section on a carbon target at intermediate energies., Comment: 9 pages, 7 figures

The properties of nuclei with extreme neutron-to-proton ratios, far from those naturally occurring on Earth, are key to understand nuclear forces and how nucleons hold together to form nuclei. $^7$H, with six neutrons and a single proton, is the nuclear system with the most unbalanced neutron-to-proton ratio known so far. However, its sheer existence and properties are still a challenge for experimental efforts and theoretical models. Here we report experimental evidences on the formation of $^7$H as a resonance, detected with independent observables, and the first measurement of the structure of its ground state. The resonance is found at $\sim$0.7 MeV above the $^3$H+4n mass, with a narrow width of $\sim$0.2 MeV and a $1/2^+$ spin and parity. These data are consistent with a $^7$H as a $^3$H core surrounded by an extended four-neutron halo, with a unique four-neutron decay and a relatively long half-life thanks to neutron pairing; a prime example of new phenomena occurring in what would be the most pure-neutron nuclear matter we can access in the laboratory.

We investigated the development and breaking of the dineutron correlation in $^{10}$Be by analyzing the elastic and inelastic scatterings with a framework combing the microscopic structure and reaction models. For studying the structure, the $^{10}$Be nucleus was constructed under the assumption of a four-body ($\alpha + \alpha + n + n$) cluster model. In this work, we focused on the change in the inner structure for the 0$_1^+$, 2$_1^+$, and 2$_2^+$ states when the strength of the spin-orbit interaction is varied. The inner structure, including various physical quantities such as energy, radius, and transition strength, is drastically influenced by the strength of the spin-orbit interaction. In particular, the development and breaking of the dineutron correlation is governed by the spin-orbit strength. The differences in the inner structure can be manifested by applying the obtained wave functions to elastic and inelastic scatterings with a proton target at $E/A =$ 59.4 and 200 MeV. Although the 0$_1^+$ and 2$_1^+$ states are significantly influenced by the spin-orbit strength of the nuclear structure calculation, the elastic and inelastic cross sections are not much affected. On the other hand, the inelastic cross section of the 2$_2^+$ state depends greatly on the spin-orbit strength of the structure calculation. Thus, we discovered a way to measure the degree of the development of dineutron cluster structure based on its sensitivity to the inelastic cross section of the 2$_2^+$ state of $^{10}$Be., Comment: 22 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in Physical Review C

The possibility of the $^{14}$C cluster being a basic building block of medium mass nuclei is discussed. Although $\alpha$ cluster structures have been widely discussed in the light $N\approx Z$ mass region, the neutron to proton ratio deviates from unity in the nuclei near $\beta$-stability line and in neutron-rich nuclei. Thus, more neutron-rich objects with $N>Z$ could become the building blocks of cluster structures in such nuclei. The $^{14}$C nucleus is strongly bound and can be regarded as such a candidate. In addition, the path to the lowest shell-model configuration at short relative distances is closed for the $^{14}$C+$^{14}$C structure contrary to the case of the $^{12}$C+$^{12}$C structure; this allows to keep appreciable separation distance between the $^{14}$C clusters. The recent development of antisymmetrized quasi-cluster model (AQCM) allows us to utilize $jj$-coupling shell model wave function for each cluster in a simplified way. The AQCM results for the $^{14}$C+$^{14}$C structure in $^{28}$Mg are compared with the ones of cranked relativistic mean field (CRMF) calculations. Although theoretical frameworks of these two models are quite different, they give similar results for the nucleonic densities and rotational properties of the structure under investigation. The existence of linear chain three $^{14}$C cluster structure in $^{42}$Ar has also been predicted in AQCM. These results confirm the role of the $^{14}$C cluster as a possible building block of cluster structures in medium mass nuclei.

Two new mechanisms active in rotating nuclei located in the vicinity of neutron drip line have been discovered. Strong Coriolis interaction acting on high-$j$ orbitals transforms particle-unbound (resonance) nucleonic configurations into particle-bound ones with increasing angular momentum. The point of the transition manifests the birth of particle-bound rotational bands. Alternative possibility of the transition from particle-bound to resonance rotational band (the death of particle-bound rotational bands) with increasing spin also exists but it is less frequent in the calculations. The birth of particle-bound rotational bands provides a mechanism for the extension of nuclear landscape to neutron numbers which are larger than those of the neutron drip line in non-rotating nuclei., Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures

We report the growth of thickness-controlled rotationally faulted multilayer graphene (rf-MLG) on Ni foils by low-pressure chemical vapor deposition and their characterization by micro-Raman spectroscopy. The surface morphology and thickness were investigated by scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, and transmittance measurements. These results have revealed that the thickness of rf-MLG can be effectively controlled by the thickness of the Ni foil rather than the flow rate of CH$_4$, H$_2$, Ar. In the Raman spectroscopy measurements, we observed most Raman peaks of the graphitic materials. Raman spectra can be categorized into four patterns and show systematic behaviors. Especially, the in-plane (~1880 cm$^{-1}$, ~2035 cm$^{-1}$) and out-of-plane (~1750 cm$^{-1}$) modes are successfully analyzed to explain the dimensionality of rf-MLG as in the twisted (or rotated) bilayer graphene. In addition, it is found that the two peaks at ~1230 cm$^{-1}$ and ~2220 cm$^{-1}$ well reflect the properties of the in-plane mode. The peak intensities of the above four in-plane modes are proportional to that of 2D band, indicating that they share the common Raman resonance process., Comment: 18 pages, 6 figures, to be published in Carbon

We apply tensor version of antisymmetrized quasi cluster model (AQCM-T) to 4He and 8Be while focusing on the NN correlations in alpha clusters. We adopt the NN interactions including realistic ones containing a repulsive core for the central part in addition to the tensor part. In 4He, the pn pair in the 3D channel has been known to play a decisive role in the tensor correlation and the framework is capable of treating not only this channel but also the NN correlations in the 1S and 3S channels. In 8Be, when two alpha clusters approach, the 3D pair is suppressed because of the Pauli blocking effect, which induces the decrease of the 3S component through the 3S-3D coupling. This effect results in the reduction of the attractive effect of the central-even interaction in the middle-range region.

The Tohsaki-Horiuchi-Schuck-Roepke (THSR) wave function has been successfully used for the studies of gas-like nature of alpha clusters in various nuclei including the so-called Hoyle state of 12C and four alpha states of 16O. In standard alpha cluster models, however, each alpha cluster wave function has spin zero because of its spatial symmetry and antisymmetrization effect. Thus the non-central interactions do not contribute, and this situation is the same in the THSR wave function. In this work, the spin-orbit contribution, which is found to be quite important at short alpha-alpha distances, is taken into account in the THSR wave function by combing it with antisymmetrized quasi cluster model (AQCM). The application to 12C is presented. The multi-integration in the original THSR wave function is carried out by using Monte Carlo technique, which is called Monte Carlo THSR wave function. For the nucleon-nucleon interaction, the Tohsaki interaction, which contains finite-range three-body terms and simultaneously reproduces the saturation properties of nuclear systems, the alpha-alpha scattering phase shift, and the size and binding energy of 4He, is adopted.

In this paper, we extend the framework of improved version of simplified method to take into account the tensor contribution ($i$SMT) and propose AQCM-T, tensor version of antisymmetrized quasi cluster model (AQCM). Although AQCM-T is phenomenological, we can treat the $^3S$-$^3D$ coupling in the deuteron-like $T=0$ $NN$-pair induced by the tensor interaction in a very simplified way, which allows us to proceed to heavier nuclei. Also we propose a new effective interaction, V2m, where the triplet-even channel of the Volkov No.2 interaction is weakened to 60% so as to reproduce the binding energy of $^4$He after including the tensor term of a realistic interaction. Using AQCM-T and the new interaction, the significant tensor contribution in $^4$He is shown, which is almost comparable the central interaction, where $D$-state mixes by 8% to the major $S$-state. The AQCM-T model with the new interaction is also applied to $^8$Be. It is found that the tensor suppression gives significant contribution to the short-range repulsion between two {\alpha} clusters.

The stability of the linear chain structure of three $\alpha$ clusters for $^{12}$C against the bending and fission is investigated in the cranking covariant density functional theory, in which the equation of motion is solved on a 3D lattice with the inverse Hamiltonian and the Fourier spectral methods. Starting from a twisted three $\alpha$ initial configuration, it is found that the linear chain structure is stable when the rotational frequency is within the range of $\sim$2.0 MeV to $\sim$2.5 MeV. Beyond this range, the final states are not stable against fission. By examining the density distributions and the occupation of single-particle levels, however, these fissions are found to arise from the occupation of unphysical continuum with large angular momenta. To properly remove these unphysical continuum, a damping function for the cranking term is introduced. Eventually, the stable linear chain structure could survive up to the rotational frequency $\sim$3.5 MeV, but the fission still occurs when the rotational frequency approaches to $\sim$4.0 MeV., Comment: 18 pages, 9 figures

We use microscopic 9Be wave functions defined in a alpha+alpha+n multicluster model to compute 9Be+target scattering cross sections. The parameter sets describing 9Be are generated in the spirit of the Stochastic Variational Method (SVM), and the optimal solution is obtained by superposing Slater determinants and by diagonalizing the Hamiltonian. The 9Be three-body continuum is approximated by square-integral wave functions. The 9Be microscopic wave functions are then used in a Continuum Discretized Coupled Channel (CDCC) calculation of 9Be+208Pb and of 9Be+27Al elastic scattering. Without any parameter fitting, we obtain a fair agreement with experiment. For a heavy target, the influence of 9Be breakup is important, while it is weaker for light targets. This result confirms previous non-microscopic CDCC calculations. One of the main advantages of the microscopic CDCC is that it is based on nucleon-target interactions only; there is no adjustable parameter. The present work represents a first step towards more ambitious calculations involving heavier Be isotopes., Comment: Phys. Rev. C in press

Herein, we investigated the channel coupling (CC) effect on the elastic scatterings of lithium (Li) isotopes ($A =$ 6--9) for the $^{12}$C and $^{28}$Si targets at $E/A =$ 50--60 MeV. The wave functions of the Li isotopes were obtained using the stochastic multi-configuration mixing (SMCM) method based on the microscopic-cluster model. The proton radii of the $^{7}$Li, $^{8}$Li, and $^{9}$Li nuclei became smaller as the number of valence neutrons increased. The valence neutrons in the $^{8}$Li and $^{9}$Li nuclei exhibited a glue-like behavior, thereby attracting the $\alpha$ and $t$ clusters. Based on the transition densities derived from these microscopic wave functions, the elastic-scattering cross section was calculated using a microscopic coupled-channel (MCC) method with a complex $G$-matrix interaction. The existing experimental data for the elastic scatterings of the Li isotopes and $^{10}$Be nuclei were well reproduced. The Li isotope elastic cross sections were demonstrated for the $^{12}$C and $^{28}$Si targets at $E/A$ =53 MeV. The glue-like effect of the valence neutrons on the Li isotope was clearly demonstrated by the CC effect on elastic scattering. Finally, we realize that the valence neutrons stabilized the bindings of the core parts and the CC effect related to core excitation was indeed reduced., Comment: 21 pages, 9 figures, 2 tables, accepted in Physical Review C

The anomalous large radii are exotic phenomena observed around the neutron dripline. Around the neutron dripline, the weak binding of the last bound neutron(s) causes the drastic increase of the radius, which is called neutron halo structure. Although the nucleus $^{24}$O is located at the dripline of Oxygen isotopes, the separation energies of one and two neutron(s) are 4.19 MeV and 6.92 MeV, respectively. In spite of this enough binding, the enhancement of the matter radius is observed. In this study, we microscopically describe the structure change of $^{22}$O core in $^{24}$O and explain the observed large radius based on the cluster model. Two degrees of freedom for the large radius; the relative distances among four $\alpha$ clusters and size of each $\alpha$ cluster are examined, where Tohsaki interaction, which has finite range three-body terms is employed. The nucleus $^{24}$O has the almost the same amount of the clusterization compared with $^{22}$O, but the expansion of each $\alpha$ cluster plays an important role. When two neutrons are added to $^{22}$O at the center, the expansion of each $\alpha$ clusters is energetically more favored than enhancing the clustering for reducing the kinetic energy of the neutrons. The calculated rms matter radius of $^{22}$O and $^{24}$O are 2.75 fm and 2.92 fm, respectively. Although these are slightly smaller than the experimental values, the jump at $^{24}$O from $^{22}$O is reproduced.

The antisymmetrized quasi-cluster model (AQCM) was proposed to describe {\alpha}-cluster and $jj$-coupling shell models on the same footing. In this model, the cluster-shell transition is characterized by two parameters; $R$ representing the distance between {\alpha} clusters and {\alpha} describing the breaking of {\alpha} clusters, and the contribution of the spin-orbit interaction, very important in the $jj$-coupling shell model, can be taken into account starting with the {\alpha} cluster model wave function. Not only the closure configurations of the major shells, but also the subclosure configurations of the $jj$-coupling shell model can be described starting with the {\alpha}-cluster model wave functions; however, the particle hole excitations of single particles have not been fully established yet. In this study we show that the framework of AQCM can be extended even to the states with the character of single particle excitations. For $^{12}$C, two particle two hole (2p2h) excitations from the subclosure configuration of $0p_{3/2}$ corresponding to BCS-like pairing are described, and these shell model states are coupled with the three {\alpha} cluster model wave functions. The correlation energy from the optimal configuration can be estimated not only in the cluster part but also in the shell model part. We try to pave the way to establish a generalized description of the nuclear structure.

The tensor contribution can be directly incorporated in the cluster model in a simplified way. In conventional $\alpha$ cluster models, the contribution of the non-central interactions exactly cancels because of the antisymmetrization effect and spatial symmetry of $\alpha$ clusters. The mixing of breaking components of $\alpha$ clusters to take into account the spin-orbit and tensor effects is needed. Previously we proposed a simplified method to include the spin-orbit effect, and also for the tensor part, a simplified model to directly take into account the contribution of the tensor interaction (called SMT) was introduced; however the contribution of the tensor interaction was quite limited. Here we improve SMT, which is called $i$SMT. Using newly proposed $i$SMT, the contribution of the tensor interaction in $^4$He is more than $-40$ MeV, four times larger than the previous version. The method is applied to four-$\alpha$ cluster structure of $^{16}$O. In $^{16}$O, the tensor contribution is also large, and this is coming from the finite size effect for the distances among $\alpha$ clusters with a tetrahedral configuration.

Consistent description of 12C and 16O has been a long standing problem of microscopic alpha cluster models, where the wave function is fully antisymmetrized and the effective interaction is applied not between alpha clusters but between nucleons. When the effective interaction is designed to reproduce the binding energy of 16O (four alpha), the binding energy of 12C (three alpha) becomes underbound by about 10 MeV. In the present study, by taking into account the coupling with the jj-coupling shell model components and utilizing Tohsaki interaction, which is phenomenological but has finite-range three-body interaction terms, we show that consistent understanding of these nuclei can be achieved. The original Tohsaki interaction gives small overbound of about 3 MeV for 16O, and this is improved by slightly modifying three-body Majorana exchange parameter. Also, the coupling with the jj-coupling shell model wave function strongly contributes to the increase of the binding energy of 12C. So far the application of Tohsaki interaction has been limited to 4N nuclei, and here, we add Bartlet and Heisenberg exchange terms in the two-body interaction for the purpose of applying it to neutron-rich systems, and it is applied to 6He.

$^{20}$Ne has been known as a typical example of a nucleus with $\alpha$ cluster structure ($^{16}$O+$\alpha$ structure). However according to the spherical shell model, the spin-orbit interaction acts attractively for four nucleons outside of the $^{16}$O core, and this spin-orbit effect cannot be taken into account in the simple $\alpha$ cluster models. We investigate how the $\alpha$ cluster structure competes with independent particle motions of these four nucleons. The antisymmetrized quasi-cluster model (AQCM) is a method to describe a transition from the $\alpha$ cluster wave function to the $jj$-coupling shell model wave function. In this model, the cluster-shell transition is characterized by only two parameters; $R$ representing the distance between clusters and $\Lambda$ describing the breaking of $\alpha$ clusters, and the contribution of the spin-orbit interaction, very important in the $jj$-coupling shell model, can be taken into account by changing $\alpha$ clusters to quasi clusters. In this article, based on AQCM, we apply $^{16}$O plus one quasi cluster model for $^{20}$Ne. Here we focus on the $E0$ transition matrix element, which has been known as the quantity characterizing the cluster structure. The $E0$ transition matrix elements are sensitive to the change of the wave functions from $\alpha$ cluster to $jj$-coupling shell model.

In $^{16}$O, we investigate the relation between the $E0$ monopole transition matrix elements and cluster-shell competition using antisymmetrized quasi cluster model (AQCM), where the dissolution of $alpha$ clusters into quasi clusters due to the effect of the spin-orbit force is introduced. We focus on the structure change when the strength of the spin-orbit force is varied. The ground state dominantly has a compact four $alpha$ structure (doubly magic structure of the $p$ shell), which is rather independent of the strength. However the first excited state ($0_2^+$) has $^{12}$C$+alpha$ cluster structure and this state is largely affected by the increase of the strength; the subclosure configuration of the $p_{3/2}$ shell for the $^{12}$C cluster part becomes more important than three $alpha$ configuration. The $E0$ transition from the ground state with compact four $alpha$ configuration to the $0^+_2$ state with $^{12}$C$+alpha$ cluster configuration is suppressed when increasing the spin-orbit strength. Although the $E0$ operator itself does not have the spin dependence, the matrix element is sensitive to the difference of intrinsic spin structures of the two states. The $E0$ transition characterizes the persistence of four $alpha$ structure in the $0^+_2$ state.

The antisymmetrized quasi-cluster model (AQCM) is a method to describe a transition from the alpha-cluster wave function to the jj-coupling shell model wave function. In this model, the cluster-shell transition is characterized by only two parameters; R representing the distance between alpha clusters and Lambda describing the breaking of alpha clusters, and the contribution of the spin-orbit interaction, very important in the jj-coupling shell model, can be taken into account starting with the alpha cluster model wave function. In this article we show the generality of AQCM by extending the application to heavier region; various 4N nuclei from 4He to 52Fe. We show and compare the energy curves for the alpha+40Ca cluster configuration calculated with and without alpha breaking effect in 44Ti.

The anomalous rod shape in carbon isotopes has been investigated in the framework of the cranking covariant density functional theory, and two mechanisms to stabilize such a novel shape with respect to the bending motion, extreme spin, and isospin, are simultaneously discussed for the first time in a self-consistent and microscopic way. By adding valence neutrons and rotating the system, we have found the mechanism stabilizing the rod shape; i.e., the $\sigma$ orbitals (parallel to the symmetry axis) of the valence neutrons, important for the rod shape, are lowered by the rotation due to the Coriolis term. The spin and isospin effects enhance the stability of the rod-shaped configuration. This provides a strong hint that a rod shape could be realized in nuclei towards extreme spin and isospin., Comment: 12 pages, 5 figures, accepted in Physical Review Letters

We systematically investigate the existence of exotic torus isomers and their precession motions for a series of $N=Z$ even-even nuclei from $^{28}$Si to $^{56}$Ni. We analyze the microscopic shell structure of the torus isomer and discuss why the torus shape is generated beyond the limit of large oblate deformation. We use the cranked three-dimensional Hartree-Fock (HF) method with various Skyrme interactions in a systematic search for high-spin torus isomers. We use the three-dimensional time-dependent Hartree-Fock (TDHF) method for describing the precession motion of the torus isomer. We obtain high-spin torus isomers in $^{36}$Ar, $^{40}$Ca, $^{44}$Ti, $^{48}$Cr, and $^{52}$Fe. The emergence of the torus isomers is associated with the alignments of single-particle angular momenta, which is the same mechanism as found in $^{40}$Ca. It is found that all the obtained torus isomers execute the precession motion at least two rotational periods. The moment of inertia about a perpendicular axis, which characterizes the precession motion, is found to be close to the classical rigid-body value. The high-spin torus isomer of $^{40}$Ca is not an exceptional case. Similar torus isomers exist widely in nuclei from $^{36}$Ar to $^{52}$Fe and they execute the precession motion. The torus shape is generated beyond the limit of large oblate deformation by eliminating the $0s$ components from all the deformed single-particle wave functions to maximize their mutual overlaps.

A study of 4$\alpha$ linear-chain structure in high-lying collective excitation states of $^{16}$O with a covariant density functional theory is presented. The low-spin states are obtained by configuration mixing of particle-number and angular-momentum projected quadrupole deformed mean-field states with generator coordinate method. The high-spin states are determined by cranking calculations. These two calculations are based on the same energy density functional PC-PK1. We have found a rotational band at low-spin with the dominated intrinsic configuration considered to be the one that 4$\alpha$ clusters stay along a common axis. The strongly deformed rod shape also appears in the high-spin region with the angular momentum $13-18\hbar$; however whether the state is pure $4\alpha$ linear chain or not is less obvious than that in the low-spin states., Comment: 10 pages with 11 figures and 3 tables

We investigate the precession motion of the exotic torus configuration in high-spin excited states of $^{40}$Ca. For this aim, we use the three-dimensional time-dependent Hartree-Fock (TDHF) method. Although the high-spin torus isomer is a unique quantum object characterized by the alignment of angular momenta of independent single-particle motions, we find that the obtained moment of inertia for rotations about an axis perpendicular to the symmetry axis is close to the rigid-body value. We also analyze the microscopic structure of the precession motion using the random-phase approximation (RPA) method for high-spin states. In the RPA calculation, the precession motion of the torus isomer is generated by coherent superposition of many one-particle-one-hole excitations across the sloping Fermi surface that strongly violates the time-reversal symmetry. By comparing results of the TDHF and the RPA calculations, we find that the precession motion obtained by the TDHF calculation is a pure collective motion well decoupled from other collective modes.

The low-lying states of the $^{9}$Li nucleus are investigated with a unified framework of microscopic structure and reaction models. In the structure model, the wave function is fully antisymmetrized and the $^{9}$Li nucleus is described as an $\alpha$ + $t$ + $n$ + $n$ four-body system, and low-lying 1/2$^{-}$, 3/2$^{-}$, 5/2$^{-}$, and 7/2$^{-}$ states are obtained by the stochastic multi-configuration mixing method. Using these wave functions, the quasi-elastic cross section at $E/A$ = 60 MeV and the elastic and inelastic cross sections at $E/A$ = 50 MeV on the $^{12}$C target are calculated in the framework of the microscopic coupled channel (MCC) method. The characteristic inelastic angular distribution is seen in the 3/2$_{2}^{-}$ state, whose $\alpha+t$ cluster structure and valence neutron configurations are discussed in detail. We find the possibility of triaxial deformation and mixing of di-neutron components in the $^{9}$Li nucleus., Comment: 10 pages, 11 figures, 5 tables

We investigate the possibility of the existence of the exotic torus configuration in the high-spin excited states of $^{40}$Ca. We here consider the spin alignments about the symmetry axis. To this end, we use a three-dimensional cranked Skyrme Hartree-Fock method and search for stable single-particle configurations. We find one stable state with the torus configuration at the total angular momentum $J=$ 60 $\hbar$ and an excitation energy of about 170 MeV in all calculations using various Skyrme interactions. The total angular momentum J=60 $\hbar$ consists of aligned 12 nucleons with the orbital angular momenta $\Lambda=+4$, +5, and +6 for spin up-down neutrons and protons. The obtained results strongly suggest that a macroscopic amount of circulating current breaking the time-reversal symmetry emerges in the high-spin excited state of $^{40}$Ca.

We investigate the existence of weakly coupled gas-like states comprised of three $\alpha$ particles around an $^{16}$O core in $^{28}$Si. We calculate the excited states in $^{28}$Si using the multi-configuration mixing method based on the $^{16}$O + 3$\alpha$ cluster model. We also include the $^{16}$O + $^{12}$C and $^{24}$Mg + $\alpha$ basis wave functions prepared by the generator coordinate method. To identify the gas-like states, we calculate the isoscalar monopole transition strengths and the overlap of the obtained states with the geometrical cluster wave function and the Tohsaki-Horiuchi-Schuck-R\"{o}pke (THSR) wave function. The results show that the obtained fourth and twelfth states significantly overlap with the THSR wave function. These two states clearly coexist with the $^{16}$O + $^{12}$C cluster states, emerging at similar energies. The calculated isoscalar monopole strengths between those two states are significantly large, indicating that the states are members of the excitation mode. Furthermore, the calculated root-mean-squared (RMS) radii for these states also suggest that a layer of gas-like three $\alpha$ particles could exist around the surface of the $^{16}$O core, which can be described as a "two-dimensional gas" in the intermediate state before the Hoyle-like three $\alpha$ states emerge., Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures

We investigate the linear-chain configurations of four-$\alpha$ clusters in $^{16}$O using a Skyrme cranked Hartree-Fock method and discuss the relationship between the stability of such states and angular momentum. We show the existence of a region of angular momentum (13-18 $\hbar$) where the linear chain configuration is stabilized. For the first time we demonstrate that stable exotic states with a large moment of inertia ($\hbar^2/2\Theta$ $\sim$ 0.06-0.08 MeV) can exist., Comment: 4 pages, 6 figure

We give a brief overview of recent work examining the presence of $\alpha$-clusters in light nuclei within the Skyrme-force Hartree-Fock model. Of special significance are investigations into $\alpha$-chain structures in carbon isotopes and $^{16}$O. 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 $4\alpha$ chain state in a limited range of angular momenta. No stabilization is found for the $3\alpha$ chain., Comment: Fusionn 11 Conference, St. Malo, France, 2011

We focus on a characteristic non-alpha cluster structure in light neutron-rich nuclei; three triton structure in 9Li. This is an analogy to the case of three alpha state in 12C (Hoyle state). The alpha clusters behave as bosons. however tritons have Fermionic nature, and how the three cluster structure is different from 12C is an intriguing problem. For this purpose, we introduce three triton wave functions. In addition, alpha+t+n+n wave functions are prepared to describe other low-lying states of 9Li, and the coupling effect between them is taken into account. The states with dominantly the three triton components appear below the three triton threshold energy, where three triton correlation is important, however the root mean square radius is not enhanced contrary to the alpha gas states in 12C and 16O., Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures

We have studied gas-like states of $\alpha$ clusters around an $^{16}$O core in $^{24}$Mg based on a microscopic $\alpha$-cluster model. This study was performed by introducing a Monte Carlo technique for the description of the THSR (Tohsaki Horiuchi Schuck R\"{o}pke) wave function, and the coupling effect to other low-lying cluster states was taken into account. A large isoscalar monopole ($E0$) transition strength from the ground to the gas-like state is discussed. The gas-like state of two $\alpha$ clusters in $^{24}$Mg around the $^{16}$O core appears slightly below the 2$\alpha$-threshold e, Comment: submitted to Phys. Rev. C

The relation between the monopole transition strength and existence of cluster structure in the excited states is discussed based on an algebraic cluster model. The structure of $^{12}$C is studied with a 3$\alpha$ model, and the wave function for the relative motions between $\alpha$ clusters are described by the symplectic algebra $Sp(2,R)_z$, which corresponds to the linear combinations of $SU(3)$ states with different multiplicities. Introducing $Sp(2,R)_z$ algebra works well for reducing the number of the basis states, and it is also shown that states connected by the strong monopole transition are classified by a quantum number $\Lambda$ of the $Sp(2,R)_z$ algebra., Comment: Phys. Rev. C in press

We investigate properties of the Generator Coordinate Method (GCM) on a collective basis of Antisymmetrized Quasi-Cluster (AQC) states to describe the cluster-shell competition in $^{20}$Ne and $^{24}$Mg due to the spin-orbit interaction. By introducing a single additional parameter in the antisymmetrized-cluster basis function, a continuous transformation of the $\alpha$ cluster(s) into independent nucleons can be described. We apply this GCM trial wave function to study in details the transition from cluster states $[ ^{16}$O+$\alpha ]$ and $[ ^{16}$O+$\alpha + \alpha]$ to shell model (SM) states $[ ^{16}$O+${\rm 4N} ]$ and $[ ^{16}$O+${\rm 8N} ]$, respectively. An optimal value of the strength of the spin-orbit interaction is deduced by reproducing level spacing in $^{20}$Ne. A possible connection to the group theoretical understanding of the cluster-shell configuration transition is also discussed., Comment: Phys. Rev. C in press

We present a microscopic dynamical study of the reactions involving three $^{4}$He clusters. We show that the much discussed triple-$\alpha$ linear chain configuration of $^{12}$C is formed with a certain lifetime and subsequently decays into a triangular configuration of $^{12}$C and then to a configuration near the ground state. Time-dependent Hartree-Fock (TDHF) theory coupled with a density constraint is used to study the properties of these configurations. We find a sequence of dynamical transitions analogous to the suggested astrophysical mechanism for the formation of $^{12}$C nuclei., Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures

We use a microscopic three-cluster model with the $\alpha+\alpha+n$ configuration to analyze with astrophysical interests the photodisintegration cross section of $^9$Be. The valence neutron in $^9$Be is treated in the molecular orbit model (MO), including continuum states by the box discretization method. It is shown that good agreement is achieved with the recently measured B(E1) transition probability from the ground state to the first 1/2$^+$ state when the box size is enlarged, resulting in reasonable reproduction of the experimental data for the photodisintegration cross section. The Coulomb dissociation of $^9$Be is also discussed., Comment: 8 pages, 1 eps figure

The triaxial deformation in $^{10}$Be is investigated using a microscopic $\alpha+\alpha+n+n$ model. The states of two valence neutrons are classified based on the molecular-orbit (MO) model, and the $\pi$-orbit is introduced about the axis connecting the two $\alpha$-clusters for the description of the rotational bands. There appear two rotational bands comprised mainly of $K^\pi = 0^+$ and $K^\pi = 2^+$, respectively, at low excitation energy, where the two valence neutrons occupy $K^\pi = 3/2^-$ or $K^\pi = 1/2^-$ orbits. The triaxiality and the $K$-mixing are discussed in connection to the molecular structure, particularly, to the spin-orbit splitting. The extent of the triaxial deformation is evaluated in terms of the electro-magnetic transition matrix elements (Davydov-Filippov model, Q-invariant model), and density distribution in the intrinsic frame. The obtained values turned out to be $\gamma = 15^o \sim 20^o$., Comment: 15 pages, latex, 3 figures

The molecule-like structure of the C isotopes (A=12, 14, 16) is investigated using a microscopic $\alpha+\alpha+\alpha+n+n+\cdot \cdot \cdot$ model. The valence neutrons are classified based on the molecular-orbit (MO) model, and both $\pi$-orbit and $\sigma$-orbit are introduced around three $\alpha$-clusters. The valence neutrons which occupy the $\pi$-orbit increase the binding energy and stabilize the linear-chain of 3$\alpha$ against the breathing-like break-up. However, $^{14}$C with the $\pi$-orbit does not show clear energy minimum against the bending-like path. The combination of the valence neutrons in the $\pi$- and the $\sigma$-orbit is promising to stabilize the linear-chain state against the breathing- and bending- modes, and it is found that the excited states of $^{16}$C with the $(3/2^-_\pi)^2(1/2^-_\sigma)^2$ configuration for the four valence neutrons is one of the most promising candidates for such structure., Comment: 9 pages, latex, 4 figures

The structure of the second 0^+ state of ^{10}Be is investigated using a microscopic $\alpha+\alpha+n+n$ model based on the molecular-orbit (MO) model. The second 0^+ state, which has dominantly the (1/2^+)^2 configuration, is shown to have a particularly enlarged $\alpha-\alpha$ structure. The kinetic energy of the two valence neutrons occupying along the $\alpha-\alpha$ axis is reduced remarkably due to the strong $\alpha$ clustering and, simultaneously, the spin-orbit interaction unexpectedly plays important role to make the energy of this state much lower. The mixing of states with different spin structure is shown to be important in negative-parity states. The experimentally observed small-level spacing between 1^- and 2^- (~ 300 keV) is found to be an evidence of this spin-mixing effect. ^{12}{Be} is also investigated using $\alpha+\alpha+4n$ model, in which four valence neutrons are considered to occupy the (3/2^-)^2(1/2^+)^2 configuration. The energy surface of ^{12}Be is shown to exhibit similar characteristics, that the remarkable $\alpha$ clustering and the contribution of the spin-orbit interaction make the binding of the state with (3/2^-)^2(1/2^+)^2 configuration properly stronger in comparison with the closed p-shell (3/2^-)^2(1/2^-)^2 configuration., Comment: 14 pages, 4 figures