Alpha Cluster Model of Atomic Nuclei

TL;DR

This paper introduces an alpha cluster model for atomic nuclei based on an extended equation of state, accurately describing ground state configurations and surface effects by incorporating spin polarization and cluster interactions.

Contribution

The model accounts for alpha-like clustering in nuclei using an extended EoS with spin polarization, improving the description of nuclear binding energies and sizes.

Findings

Accurately describes binding energies and sizes of nuclei.

Identifies alpha clusters at nuclear surfaces.

Establishes EoS parameter limits from light particle properties.

Abstract

Description of a nuclear system in its ground state and at low excitations based on the equation of state (EoS) around normal density is presented. In the expansion of the EoS around the saturation point additional spin polarization terms are taken into account. These terms, together with the standard symmetry term, are responsible for appearance of the $\alpha$-like clusters in the ground state configurations of the N=Z even-even nuclei. At the nuclear surface these clusters can be identified as alpha particles. A correction for the surface effects is introduced for atomic nuclei. Taking into account an additional interaction between clusters the binding energies and sizes of the considered nuclei are very accurately described. The limits of the EoS parameters are established from the properties of the $\alpha$, $^{3}$He and $t$ particles.