HAL : in2p3-00677360, version 1
 arXiv : 1203.1244
 DOI : 10.1038/nature11246
 Nature 487 (2012) 341-344
 How atomic nuclei cluster
 (2012)
 Nucleonic matter displays a quantum liquid structure, but in some cases finite nuclei behave like molecules composed of clusters of protons and neutrons. Clustering is a recurrent feature in light nuclei, from beryllium to nickel. For instance, in $^{12}$C the Hoyle state, crucial for stellar nucleosynthesis, can be described as a nuclear molecule consisting of three alpha-particles. The mechanism of cluster formation, however, has not yet been fully understood. We show that the origin of clustering can be traced back to the depth of the confining nuclear potential. By employing the theoretical framework of energy density functionals that encompasses both cluster and quantum liquid-drop aspects of nuclei, it is shown that the depth of the potential determines the energy spacings between single-nucleon orbitals, the localization of the corresponding wave functions and, therefore, the degree of nucleonic density clustering. Relativistic functionals, in particular, are characterized by deep single-nucleon potentials. When compared to non-relativistic functionals that yield similar ground-state properties (binding energy, deformation, radii), they predict the occurrence of much more pronounced cluster structures. More generally, clustering is considered as a transitional phenomenon between crystalline and quantum liquid phases of fermionic systems.
 Thème(s) : Physique/Physique Nucléaire Théorique
 Lien vers le texte intégral : http://fr.arXiv.org/abs/1203.1244
 in2p3-00677360, version 1 http://hal.in2p3.fr/in2p3-00677360 oai:hal.in2p3.fr:in2p3-00677360 Contributeur : Sophie Heurteau <> Soumis le : Jeudi 8 Mars 2012, 10:35:57 Dernière modification le : Mardi 14 Août 2012, 13:59:59