An octahedral deformation with six alpha particles at the Z = 12 system, Mg nuclides: Third nucleons, Alpharons

TL;DR

This paper proposes that magnesium isotopes, especially at Z=12, N=12, exhibit an octahedral deformation structure formed by six alpha particles, introducing the concept of 'Alpharon' as a third nucleon influencing nuclear stability.

Contribution

It introduces a novel molecular symmetry perspective for nuclear shapes, suggesting alpha particles as fundamental building blocks, and proposes the 'Alpharon' concept to explain nuclear stability and structure.

Findings

Mg isotopes show octahedral deformation with six alpha particles.

Alpha particles may act as third nucleons, influencing nuclear stability.

Proposes new geometric models for nuclear shapes based on molecular symmetry.

Abstract

We suggest that the emergence of a large deformation in the magnesium, Mg, nuclides, especially at the Z = 12, N = 12, should be associated with an octahedral deformed shape. Within the framework of molecular geometrical symmetry, we find a possibility that the Z = 12, N = 12 system would form an octahedral structure consisting of six points of alpha(4He) particles, yielding the ground collectivity. With this point of view, we draw the following serial molecular structures; the Z = 10, N = 10, 20Ne, corresponds to a hexahedral, the Z = 8, N = 8, 16O, does to a tetrahedral, and the Z = 6, N = 6, 12C, does to a trigonal symmetry. Moreover, the Z = 2, N = 2, 4He(alpha), fits into a tetrahedral symmetry with four points of nucleons; two protons and two neutrons. The enhanced deformation at Z = 12 with N > 20 would be explained by a deformed shape related to an Ethene(Ethylene)-like skeleton with six alpha particles. The deformation at Z = 10, with N = 10 and 12, can be interpreted as being attributed to a hexahedral shape combined by five alpha particles as well. By noticing that the Z = 4, N = 4 system is unstable to the ground state under two-body system with two alpha particles, we conclude that alpha particles, rather than the eight-protons-neutrons nucleon, govern the 8Be stability. Accordingly, the alpha particle should be a third nucleon, like a proton or a neutron, in a nucleus. We name it the 'Alpharon'. With this picture, we are able to open a new gate toward understanding of nuclear many-body systems; nucleon-nucleon interaction, shell structures, nucleon-synthesis, and nuclear matters. We argue that nature favors three-body systems; three quarks for a nucleon, three nucleons for a nucleus.