Effects of rotation and valence nucleons in molecular α-chain nuclei

Effects of rotation and valence nucleons in molecular linear alpha-chain nuclei are analyzed using a three-dimensional lattice cranking model based on covariant density functional theory. The structure of the mirror nuclei C-16 and Ne-16 is investigated as a function of rotational frequency. The valence nucleons, with respect to the 3 alpha linear chain core of C-12, at low frequency occupy the pi molecular orbital. With increasing rotational frequency these nucleons transition from the pi orbital to the sigma molecular orbital, thus stabilizing the 3 alpha linear chain structure. It is predicted that the valence protons in Ne-16 change occupation from the pi to the sigma molecular orbital at (h) over bar omega approximate to 1.3 MeV, a lower rotational frequency compared to (h) over bar omega approximate to 1.7 MeV for the valence neutrons in C-16. The same effects of valence protons are found in Mg-20, compared to the four valence neutrons in O-20. The model is also used to examine the effect of alignment of valence nucleons on the relative positions and size of the three alpha clusters in the mirror nuclei C-16 and Ne-16.

Automated summary

The effects of rotation and valence nucleons in molecular linear alpha-chain nuclei are analyzed using a three-dimensional lattice cranking model based on covariant density functional theory. The study reveals that with increasing rotational frequency, the valence nucleons transition from the pi molecular orbital to the sigma molecular orbital, thus stabilizing the 3 alpha linear chain structure. The research also shows that the transition frequencies for valence protons and neutrons differ in different nuclei.