Supersolidity of $\alpha$ cluster structure in $^{40}$Ca

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that the alpha cluster structure in $^{40}$Ca exhibits a duality of crystallinity and condensation, akin to supersolids, supported by a novel superfluid cluster model that explains low-energy states as Nambu-Goldstone modes.

Contribution

The introduction of a field theoretical superfluid cluster model (SCM) to describe alpha clustering and its dual nature in $^{40}$Ca and $^{12}$C is a novel approach.

Findings

Reproduces alpha cluster structure of $^{40}$Ca with SCM.

Identifies the $0^+$ state as a Nambu-Goldstone zero mode.

Supports the duality of crystallinity and condensation in alpha clustering.

Abstract

$\alpha$ cluster structure in nuclei has been long understood based on the geometrical configuration picture. By using the spatially localized Brink $\alpha$ cluster model in the generator coordinate method, it is shown that the $\alpha$ cluster structure has the apparently opposing duality of crystallinity and condensation, a property of supersolids. To study the condensation aspects of the $\alpha$ cluster structure a field theoretical superfluid cluster model (SCM) is introduced, in which the order parameter of condensation is incorporated by treating rigorously the Nambu-Goldstone mode due to spontaneous symmetry breaking of the global phase. The $\alpha$ cluster structure of $^{40}$Ca, which has been understood in the crystallinity picture, is studied by the SCM with ten $\alpha$ clusters. It is found that the $\alpha$ cluster structure of $^{40}$Ca is reproduced by the SCM in addition to $^{12}$C reported in a previous paper, which gives support to the duality of the $\alpha$ cluster structure. The emergence of the mysterious $0^+$ state at the lowest excitation energy near the $\alpha$ threshold energy is understood to be a manifestation of the Nambu-Goldstone zero mode, a soft mode, due to the condensation aspect of the duality similar to the Hoyle state in $^{12}$C. The duality of $\alpha$ cluster structure with incompatible crystallinity and coherent wave nature due to condensation is the consequence of the Pauli principle, which causes clustering.