Cluster structure of light nuclei

Abstract

We review recent studies of the cluster structure of light nuclei within the framework of the algebraic cluster model (ACM) for nuclei composed of kα-particles and within the framework of the cluster shell model (CSM) for nuclei composed of kα-particles plus x additional nucleons. The calculations, based on symmetry considerations and thus for the most part given in analytic form, are compared with experiments in light cluster nuclei. The comparison shows evidence for Z2, D3h and Td symmetry in the even–even nuclei 8Be (k=2), 12C (k=3) and 16O (k=4), respectively, and for the associated double groups Z2′ and D3h′ in the odd nuclei 9Be, 9B (k=2, x=1) and 13C (k=3, x=1), respectively.