Abstract
Starting from experimental studies on alpha-clustering in excited self-conjugate nuclei (from 16O to 28Si), temperature and density conditions for such a clustering are determined. Measured temperatures have been found in the range of 5.5–6.0 MeV, whereas density values of 0.3–0.4 times the saturation density are deduced, i.e., 0.046 to 0.062 fm−3. Such a density domain is also predicted by constrained self-consistent mean field calculations. These results constitute a benchmark for alpha clustering from self-conjugate nuclei in relation to descriptions of stellar evolution and supernovae.
Highlights
The aim of the present paper is to give a benchmark for the temperature and density needed to observe alpha-clustering in self-conjugate nuclei
The information is derived from experimental data and densities compared with theoretical expectations
Before discussing different possible de-excitation mechanisms involved in the retained events, information on the projectile fragmentation mechanism is needed
Summary
The knowledge of the composition of warm nuclear matter at low density is of paramount importance for a better understanding of the description of the core-collapse of supernovae as well as for the formation and static properties of proto-neutron stars [1,2] In this context, cluster formation is one of the fundamental aspects with, in particular, the role of α-particles, which are predicted to be present due to the instability of nuclear matter against cluster formation [3,4,5,6,7]. The aim of the present paper is to give a benchmark for the temperature and density needed to observe alpha-clustering in self-conjugate nuclei.
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