TY - JOUR
T1 - The Hoyle family
T2 - the search for alpha-condensate states in light nuclei
AU - Smith, R.
AU - Bishop, J.
AU - Hirst, Joel
AU - Kokalova, Tz
AU - Wheldon, C.
PY - 2020/4/23
Y1 - 2020/4/23
N2 - Our present understanding of the structure of the Hoyle state in 12C and other near-threshold states in α-conjugate nuclei is reviewed in the framework of the α-condensate model. The 12C Hoyle state, in particular, is a candidate for α-condensation, due to its large radius and α-cluster structure. The predicted features of nuclear α-particle condensates are reviewed along with a discussion of their experimental indicators, with a focus on precision break-up measurements. Two experiments are discussed in detail, firstly concerning the break-up of 12C and then the decays of heavier nuclei. With more theoretical input, and increasingly complex detector setups, precision break-up measurements can, in principle, provide insight into the structures of states in α-conjugate nuclei. However, the commonly-held belief that the decay of a condensate state will result in Nα-particles is challenged. We further conclude that unambiguously characterising excited states built on α-condensates is difficult, despite improvements in detector technology.
AB - Our present understanding of the structure of the Hoyle state in 12C and other near-threshold states in α-conjugate nuclei is reviewed in the framework of the α-condensate model. The 12C Hoyle state, in particular, is a candidate for α-condensation, due to its large radius and α-cluster structure. The predicted features of nuclear α-particle condensates are reviewed along with a discussion of their experimental indicators, with a focus on precision break-up measurements. Two experiments are discussed in detail, firstly concerning the break-up of 12C and then the decays of heavier nuclei. With more theoretical input, and increasingly complex detector setups, precision break-up measurements can, in principle, provide insight into the structures of states in α-conjugate nuclei. However, the commonly-held belief that the decay of a condensate state will result in Nα-particles is challenged. We further conclude that unambiguously characterising excited states built on α-condensates is difficult, despite improvements in detector technology.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85083796710&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s00601-020-1545-5
DO - 10.1007/s00601-020-1545-5
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85083796710
SN - 0177-7963
VL - 61
JO - Few-Body Systems
JF - Few-Body Systems
IS - 2
M1 - 14
ER -