Alpha particle condensation and nuclear rainbow scattering

Abstract

It is shown that a dilute property of an $\alpha$ particle condensate can be seen in the Airy structure of nuclear rainbow and prerainbow scattering. The dilute property of the Hoyle state of ${}^{12}$C with a developed $\alpha$ cluster structure is discussed by studying refractive ${}^3$He+${}^{12}$C and $\alpha$+${}^{12}$C scattering.