A dynamical $\alpha$-cluster model of $^{16}$O

TL;DR

This paper develops a dynamical alpha-cluster model for $^{16}$O that captures its low-lying spectrum, reproduces energy splittings, introduces new states, and predicts unobserved energies, advancing nuclear structure understanding.

Contribution

It presents a novel dynamical alpha-cluster model incorporating tetrahedral and square configurations, explaining energy splittings and predicting new states in $^{16}$O.

Findings

Successfully replicates observed energy splittings between states of opposite parity.

Introduces a previously unmodeled $0^-$ state in $^{16}$O.

Predicts energies for $6^-$ states yet to be observed.

Abstract

We calculate the low-lying spectrum of the $^{16}$O nucleus using an $\alpha$-cluster model which includes the important tetrahedral and square configurations. Our approach is motivated by the dynamics of $\alpha$-particle scattering in the Skyrme model. We are able to replicate the large energy splitting that is observed between states of identical spin but opposite parities, as well as introduce states that were previously not found in other cluster models, such as a $0^-$ state. We also provide a novel interpretation of the first excited state of $^{16}$O and make predictions for the energies of $6^-$ states that have yet to be observed experimentally.