Relativistic mean field study of clustering in light nuclei

The clustering phenomenon in light, stable and exotic nuclei is studied within the relativistic mean field (RMF) approach. Numerical calculations are done by using the axially deformed harmonic oscillator basis. The calculated nucleon density distributions and deformation parameters are analyzed to look for the cluster configurations. The calculations explain many of the well-established cluster structures in both the ground and intrinsic excited states. Comparisons of our results with other model calculations and the available experimental information suggest that the RMF theory is well suited for studying clustering in light nuclei. A few discrepancies and their possible sources are also discussed.