Exotic nuclear shapes: structure, symmetries, reactions

Abstract

Symmetry considerations are very useful in nuclear structure studies, in general, and in the investigation of the exotic nuclear shapes, in particular. In this thesis I present my recent work concerning the linear α-chain state of the 16O nucleus. I determine the possible binary and ternary clusterizations of this exotic state by symmetry studies. The allowed configurations imply the favourable reaction channels to populate this extremely elongated shape. The structural studies were done through the U(3) and U(4) selection rules and Harvey’s prescription, the Q-values of the favourable reaction channels were also determined.