Signatures of $\alpha$ clustering in ${}^{16}$O by using a multiphase transport model

Abstract

$\alpha$-clustered structures in light nuclei could be studied through "snapshots" taken by relativistic heavy-ion collisions. A multiphase transport (AMPT) model is employed to simulate the initial structure of collision nuclei and the proceeding collisions at center of mass energy $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 6.37 TeV. This initial structure can finally be reflected in the subsequent observations, such as elliptic flow ($v_2$), triangular flow ($v_3$) and quadrangular flow ($v_4$). Three sets of the collision systems are chosen to illustrate system scan is a good way to identify the exotic $\alpha$-clustered nuclear structure, case I: ${}^{16}\mathrm{O}$ nucleus (with or without $\alpha$-cluster) + ordinary nuclei (always in Woods-Saxon distribution) in most central collisions, case II: ${}^{16}\mathrm{O}$ nucleus (with or without $\alpha$-cluster) + ${}^{197}\mathrm{Au}$ nucleus collisions for centrality dependence, and case III: symmetric collision systems (namely, ${}^{10}$B + ${}^{10}$B, ${}^{12}$C + ${}^{12}$C, ${}^{16}$O + ${}^{16}$O (with or without $\alpha$-cluster), ${}^{20}$Ne + ${}^{20}$Ne, and ${}^{40}$Ca + ${}^{40}$Ca) in most central collisions. Our calculations propose that relativistic heavy-ion collision experiments at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 6.37 TeV are promised to distinguish the tetrahedron structure of ${}^{16}\mathrm{O}$ from the Woods-Saxon one and shed lights on the system scan projects in experiments.

Comments: 9 pages, 4 figures; accepted version of Physical Review C