Evidence of bicluster structure in the ground state of $^{20}$Ne

Abstract

We explore the structure of the ground state of $^{20}$Ne by investigating various density profiles. Four candidates for the ground state configurations, (a) $j$-$j$ coupling and (b) SU(3) shell model and (c) $5\alpha$ and (d) $^{16}{\rm O}+\alpha$ cluster model configurations are generated by utilizing the antisymmetrized quasicluster model. A high-energy reaction theory, the Glauber model, relates these one-body density distributions and reaction observables. The angular distributions of the elastic scattering cross sections clearly distinguish these configurations and tell which is the most plausible one: The ground state of $^{20}$Ne favors a 16+4 nucleon bi-cluster structure. A comprehensive investigation of other electric observables also supports this conclusion.