$^{16}$O + $^{16}$O molecular structures of positive- and negative-parity superdeformed bands in $^{34}$S

TL;DR

This paper investigates the excited states of $^{34}$S using advanced nuclear structure models, predicting coexistence of multiple superdeformed bands with specific cluster and molecular orbital configurations.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed theoretical analysis predicting multiple superdeformed bands with specific cluster structures in $^{34}$S, including positive- and negative-parity configurations.

Findings

Coexistence of two positive- and one negative-parity SD bands predicted.

SD bands characterized by $^{16}$O + $^{16}$O + valence neutrons in molecular orbitals.

Structural changes of yrast states discussed.

Abstract

The structures of excited states in $^{34}$S are investigated using the antisymmetrized molecular dynamics and generator coordinate method (GCM). The GCM basis wave functions are calculated via energy variation with a constraint on the quadrupole deformation parameter $\beta$. By applying the GCM after parity and angular momentum projections, the coexistence of two positive- and one negative-parity superdeformed (SD) bands are predicted, and low-lying states and other deformed bands are obtained. The SD bands have structures of $^{16}$O + $^{16}$O + two valence neutrons in molecular orbitals around the two $^{16}$O cores in a cluster picture. The configurations of the two valence neutrons are $\delta^2$ and $\pi^2$ for the positive-parity SD bands and $\pi^1\delta^1$ for the negative-parity SD band. The structural changes of the yrast states are also discussed.