<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mi>α</mml:mi></mml:math>-cluster formation and decay in the quartetting wave function approach

Abstract

We present a microscopic calculation of $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-cluster formation in heavy nuclei by using the quartetting wave function approach. The interaction of the quartet with the core nucleus is taken in local density approximation. The $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-cluster formation is found to be particularly sensitive to the interplay of the mean field felt by the $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-cluster and the Pauli blocking as a consequence of antisymmetrization. The striking feature of $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-cluster formation probability across the major shell closures of 82 protons and 126 neutrons is reproduced. The shell (or subshell) effects on the $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-cluster formation in superheavy nuclei are also analyzed.