Alpha-particle condensation: a nuclear quantum phase transition

Abstract

When the density of a nuclear system is decreased, homogeneous states undergo the so-called Mott transition towards clusterised states, e.g. alpha clustering, both in nuclei and in nuclear matter. Here we investigate such a quantum phase transition (QPT) by using microscopic energy density functional (EDF) calculations both with the relativistic and the Gogny approaches on the diluted ${}^{16}$O nucleus. The evolution of the corresponding single-particle spectrum under dilution is studied, and a Mott-like transition is predicted at about 1/3 of the saturation density. Complementary approaches are used in order to understand this QPT. A study of spatial localisation properties as a function of the density allows to derive a value of the Mott density in agreement with the one obtained by fully microscopic calculations in ${}^{16}$O and in nuclear matter. Moreover a study of the spontaneous symmetry breaking of the rotational group in ${}^{16}$O, down to the discrete tetrahedral one, provides further insight on the features displayed by the single-particle spectrum obtained within the EDF approach.The content of the tetrahedrally deformed A-nucleon product state in terms of spherical particle-hole configurations is investigated. Finally a study of quartet condensation and the corresponding macroscopic QPT is undertaken in infinite matter.

arXiv comment13 pages, 13 figures

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• Signatures of shape phase transitions in krypton isotopes based on relativistic energy density functionals
• Low-energy monopole strength in spherical and deformed nuclei : cluster and soft modes
• The MC-QTAIM: A framework for extending the atoms in molecules analysis beyond purely electronic systems
• Magnetic dipole moments as a strong signature for $\alpha$-clustering in even-even self-conjugate nuclei
• Supersolidity of $\alpha$ cluster structure in ${}^{40}$Ca
• Temperature of the hot $\alpha$-source: a guidance to probe the Bose-Einstein condensation of $\alpha$ clusters in the heavy-ion collision
• Temperature and Density Conditions for Alpha Clustering in Excited Self-Conjugate Nuclei