Collective flows of $^{16}$O + $^{16}$O collisions with $\alpha$-clustering configurations

TL;DR

This study investigates whether collective flow measurements in light nucleus collisions at Fermi energies can reveal underlying alpha-clustering configurations, using simulations of $^{16}$O+$^{16}$O with different cluster arrangements.

Contribution

It demonstrates that collective flow observables, especially directed flow of free protons, are sensitive to initial alpha-clustering configurations in light nuclei.

Findings

Directed flow of free protons varies with cluster configuration.

Collective flows are influenced by different alpha-clustering arrangements.

Fermi energy nuclear reactions can probe cluster structures in light nuclei.

Abstract

The main purpose of the present paper is to discuss whether or not the collective flows in heavy-ion collision at Fermi energy can be taken as a tool to investigate the cluster configuration in light nuclei. In practice, within an Extended Quantum Molecular Dynamics model, four $\alpha$-clustering (linear chain, kite, square, and tetrahedron) configurations of $^{16}$O are employed in the initialization, $^{16}$O+$^{16}$O around Fermi energy (40 - 60 MeV$/$nucleon) with impact parameter 1 - 3 fm are simulated, the directed and elliptic flows are analyzed. It is found that collective flows are influenced by the different $\alpha$-clustering configurations, and the directed flow of free protons is more sensitive to the initial cluster configuration than the elliptic flow. Nuclear reaction at Fermi energy can be taken a useful way to study cluster configuration in light nuclei.