Prospects of nuclear clustering studies via dissociation of relativistic nuclei in nuclear track emulsion

TL;DR

This paper reviews the current status and future prospects of nuclear clustering research using relativistic nuclear dissociation in nuclear track emulsion, highlighting identification of specific unstable nuclei and states, and proposing new research directions.

Contribution

It introduces new methods for identifying unstable nuclei and states in relativistic dissociation and suggests exploring complex alpha-particle states and baryonic matter in future studies.

Findings

Identification of $^{8}$Be and $^{9}$B in dissociation of certain isotopes

Observation of the Hoyle state in $^{12}$C and $^{16}$O dissociation

Proposals for searching for complex alpha-particle states and baryonic matter

Abstract

Status and prospects of nuclear clustering studies by dissociation of relativistic nuclei in nuclear track emulsion are presented. The unstable $^{8}$Be and $^{9}$B nuclei are identified in dissociation of the isotopes $^{9}$Be, $^{10}$B, $^{10}$C and $^{11}$C, and the Hoyle state in the cases $^{12}$C and $^{16}$O. On this ground searching for the Hoyle state and more complex $\alpha$-particle states in the dissociation of the heavier nuclei is suggested. A detailed study of a low-density baryonic matter arising in dissociation of the heaviest nuclei is forthcoming long-term problem. An analysis of nuclear fragmentation induced by relativistic muons is proposed to examine the mechanism dissociation.