Clustering in stable and exotic nuclei

TL;DR

This paper reviews the progress and challenges in nuclear clustering, focusing on exotic shapes, alpha condensates, and the evolution of clustering in light and neutron-rich nuclei, highlighting recent experimental and theoretical advances.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of clustering phenomena in stable and exotic nuclei, emphasizing new insights into nuclear molecules, shapes, and the evolution of clustering near drip-lines.

Findings

Observation of exotic shapes and Bose-Einstein alpha condensates.

Analysis of superdeformed and hyperdeformed bands linked to quasimolecular structures.

Clustering behavior in neutron-rich oxygen isotopes with complete spectroscopy.

Abstract

Since the pioneering discovery of molecular resonances in the 12C+12C reaction more than half a century ago a great deal of research work has been undertaken in alpha clustering. Our knowledge on physics of nuclear molecules has increased considerably and nuclear clustering remains one of the most fruitful domains of nuclear physics, facing some of the greatest challenges and opportunities in the years ahead. The occurrence of "exotic" shapes and Bose-Einstein alpha condensates in light N=Z alpha-conjugate nuclei is investigated. Various approaches of the superdeformed and hyperdeformed bands associated with quasimolecular resonant structures are presented. Evolution of clustering from stability to the drip-lines is examined: clustering aspects are, in particular, discussed for light exotic nuclei with large neutron excess such as neutron-rich Oxygen isotopes with their complete spectroscopy.