Cluster structures and superdeformation in $^{28}$Si

Abstract

We have studied positive-parity states of $^{28}$Si using antisymmetrized molecular dynamics (AMD) and multi-configuration mixing (MCM) with constrained variation. Applying constraints to the cluster distance and the quadrupole deformation of the variational calculation, we have obtained basis wave functions that have various structures such as $\alpha$-$^{24}$Mg and $^{12}$C-$^{16}$O cluster structures as well as deformed structures. Superposing those basis wave functions, we have obtained a oblate ground state band, a $\beta$ vibration band, a normal-deformed prolate band, and a superdeformed band. It is found that the normal-deformed and superdeformed bands contain large amounts of the $^{12}$C-$^{16}$O and $\alpha$-$^{24}$Mg cluster components, respectively. The results also suggest the presence of two excited bands with the developed $\alpha$-$^{24}$Mg cluster structure, where the inter-cluster motion and the $^{24}$Mg-cluster deformation play important roles.