Signatures of $\alpha$ clustering in $^{16}$O by using a multiphase transport model

TL;DR

This study uses a multiphase transport model to explore how relativistic heavy-ion collisions can reveal alpha clustering in light nuclei like oxygen-16 by analyzing flow observables at high energies.

Contribution

It demonstrates that system scans in relativistic heavy-ion collisions can identify exotic alpha-clustered nuclear structures, specifically distinguishing tetrahedral configurations of oxygen-16.

Findings

Flow observables reflect initial nuclear structure differences.

System scans can differentiate alpha-clustered from non-clustered nuclei.

High-energy collisions can reveal nuclear geometric configurations.

Abstract

$\alpha$-clustered structures in light nuclei could be studied through "snapshots" taken by relativistic heavy-ion collisions. A multiphase transport (AMPT) model is employed to simulate the initial structure of collision nuclei and the proceeding collisions at center of mass energy $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 6.37 TeV. This initial structure can finally be reflected in the subsequent observations, such as elliptic flow ($v_{2}$), triangular flow ($v_{3}$) and quadrangular flow ($v_4$). Three sets of the collision systems are chosen to illustrate system scan is a good way to identify the exotic $\alpha$-clustered nuclear structure, case I: $\mathrm{^{16}O}$ nucleus (with or without $\alpha$-cluster) + ordinary nuclei (always in Woods-Saxon distribution) in most central collisions, case II: $\mathrm{^{16}O}$ nucleus (with or without $\alpha$-cluster) + $\mathrm{^{197}Au}$ nucleus collisions for centrality dependence, and case III: symmetric collision systems (namely, $^{10}$B + $^{10}$B, $^{12}$C + $^{12}$C, $^{16}$O + $^{16}$O (with or without $\alpha$-cluster), $^{20}$Ne + $^{20}$Ne, and $^{40}$Ca + $^{40}$Ca) in most central collisions. Our calculations propose that relativistic heavy-ion collision experiments at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 6.37 TeV are promised to distinguish the tetrahedron structure of $\mathrm{^{16}O}$ from the Woods-Saxon one and shed lights on the system scan projects in experiments.