α-Clustering in atomic nuclei from first principles with statistical learning and the Hoyle state character

T. Otsuka (), T. Abe, T. Yoshida, Y. Tsunoda, N. Shimizu, N. Itagaki, Y. Utsuno, J. Vary, P. Maris and H. Ueno
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T. Otsuka: The University of Tokyo
T. Abe: RIKEN Nishina Center
T. Yoshida: The University of Tokyo
Y. Tsunoda: The University of Tokyo
N. Shimizu: The University of Tokyo
N. Itagaki: Kyoto University
Y. Utsuno: Japan Atomic Energy Agency
J. Vary: Iowa State University
P. Maris: Iowa State University
H. Ueno: RIKEN Nishina Center

Nature Communications, 2022, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract A long-standing crucial question with atomic nuclei is whether or not α clustering occurs there. An α particle (helium-4 nucleus) comprises two protons and two neutrons, and may be the building block of some nuclei. This is a very beautiful and fascinating idea, and is indeed plausible because the α particle is particularly stable with a large binding energy. However, direct experimental evidence has never been provided. Here, we show whether and how α(-like) objects emerge in atomic nuclei, by means of state-of-the-art quantum many-body simulations formulated from first principles, utilizing supercomputers including K/Fugaku. The obtained physical quantities exhibit agreement with experimental data. The appearance and variation of the α clustering are shown by utilizing density profiles for the nuclei beryllium-8, -10 and carbon-12. With additional insight by statistical learning, an unexpected crossover picture is presented for the Hoyle state, a critical gateway to the birth of life.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29582-0

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