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

Abstract

$α$-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 $α$-clustered nuclear structure, case I: $\mathrm{^{16}O}$ nucleus (with or without $α$-cluster) + ordinary nuclei (always in Woods-Saxon distribution) in most central collisions, case II: $\mathrm{^{16}O}$ nucleus (with or without $α$-cluster) + $\mathrm{^{197}Au}$ 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 $α$-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 $\mathrm{^{16}O}$ from the Woods-Saxon one and shed lights on the system scan projects in experiments.