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Y. Funaki

Publications and source records attributed to Y. Funaki.

34 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
arXiv2011

Nuclear Alpha-Particle Condensates

The $α$-particle condensate in nuclei is a novel state described by a product state of $α$'s, all with their c.o.m. in the lowest 0S orbit. We demonstrate that a typical $α$-particle condensate is the Hoyle state ($E_{x}=7.65$ MeV, $0^+_2$ state in $^{12}$C), which plays a crucial role for the synthesis of $^{12}$C in the universe. The influence of antisymmentrization in the Hoyle state on the bosonic character of the $α$ particle is discussed in detail. It is shown to be weak. The bosonic aspects in the Hoyle state, therefore, are predominant. It is conjectured that $α$-particle condensate states also exist in heavier $nα$ nuclei, like $^{16}$O, $^{20}$Ne, etc. For instance the $0^+_6$ state of $^{16}$O at $E_{x}=15.1$ MeV is identified from a theoretical analysis as being a strong candidate of a $4α$ condensate. The calculated small width (34 keV) of $0^+_6$, consistent with data, lends credit to the existence of heavier Hoyle-analogue states. In non-self-conjugated nuclei such as $^{11}$B and $^{13}$C, we discuss candidates for the product states of clusters, composed of $α$'s, triton's, and neutrons etc. The relationship of $α$-particle condensation in finite nuclei to quartetting in symmetric nuclear matter is investigated with the help of an in-medium modified four-nucleon equation. A nonlinear order parameter equation for quartet condensation is derived and solved for $α$ particle condensation in infinite nuclear matter. The strong qualitative difference with the pairing case is pointed out.

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arXiv2010

Microscopic study of 4-alpha-particle condensation with proper treatment of resonances

The 4-alpha condensate state for ^{16}O is discussed with the THSR (Tohsaki-Horiuchi-Schuck-Roepke) wave function which has alpha-particle condensate character. Taking into account a proper treatment of resonances, it is found that the 4-alpha THSR wave function yields a fourth 0^+ state in the continuum above the 4-alpha-breakup threshold in addition to the three 0^+ states obtained in a previous analysis. It is shown that this fourth 0^+ ((0_4^+)_{THSR}) state has an analogous structure to the Hoyle state, since it has a very dilute density and a large component of alpha+^{12}C(0_2^+) configuration. Furthermore, single-alpha motions are extracted from the microscopic 16-nucleon wave function, and the condensate fraction and momentum distribution of alpha particles are quantitatively discussed. It is found that for the (0_4^+)_{THSR} state a large alpha-particle occupation probability concentrates on a single-alpha 0S orbit and the alpha-particle momentum distribution has a delta-function-like peak at zero momentum, both indicating that the state has a strong 4-alpha condensate character. It is argued that the (0_4^+)_{THSR} state is the counterpart of the 0_6^+ state which was obtained as the 4-alpha condensate state in the previous 4-alpha OCM (Orthogonality Condition Model) calculation, and therefore is likely to correspond to the 0_6^+ state observed at 15.1 MeV.

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arXiv2010

Open Problems in $α$ Particle Condensation

$α$ particle condensation is a novel state in nuclear systems. We briefly review the present status on the study of $α$ particle condensation and address the open problems in this research field: $α$ particle condensation in heavier systems other than the Hoyle state, linear chain and $α$ particle rings, Hoyle-analogue states with extra neutrons, $α$ particle condensation related to astrophysics, etc.

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arXiv2009

Concepts of alpha-particle condensation

Certain aspects of the recently proposed antisymmetrised alpha particle product state wave function, or THSR alpha cluster wave function, for the description of the ground state in 8Be, the Hoyle state in 12C, and analogous states in heavier nuclei, are elaborated in detail. For instance, the influence of antisymmetrisation in the Hoyle state on the bosonic character of the alpha particles is studied carefully. It is shown to be weak, so that bosonic aspects are predominant. The de Broglie wave length of alpha particles in the Hoyle state is shown to be much larger than the inter-alpha distance. It is pointed out that the bosonic features of low density alpha gas states have measurable consequences, one of which, that is enhanced multi-alpha decay properties, likely already have been detected. Consistent with experiment, the width of the proposed analogue to the Hoyle state in 16O at the excitation energy of E_x=15.1 MeV is estimated to be very small (34 keV), lending credit to the existence of heavier Hoyle-like states. The intrinsic single boson density matrix of a self-bound Bose system can, under physically desirable boundary conditions, be defined unambiguously. One eigenvalue then separates out, being close to the number of alpha's in the system. Differences between Brink and THSR alpha cluster wave functions are worked out. No cluster model of the Brink type can describe the Hoyle state with a single configuration. On the contrary, many superpositions of the Brink type are necessary, implying delocalisation towards an alpha product state. It is shown that single alpha particle orbits in condensates of different nuclei are almost the same. It is thus argued that alpha particle antisymmetrised product states of the THSR type are a very promising novel and useful concept in nuclear physics.

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arXiv2008

Criterion for Bose-Einstein condensation in traps and self-bound systems

The internal one-particle density matrix is discussed for Bose-Einstein condensates with finite number of particles in a harmonic trap. The outcome of the digonalization of the density matrix depends on the choice of the internal coordinates: The Pethick-Pitaevskii-type internal density matrix, whose analytical eigenvalues and eigenfunctions are evaluated, yields a fragmented condensate, while the Jacobi-type internal density matrix leads to an ideal condensate. We give a criterion for the choice of the internal coordinates: In the macroscopic limit the internal density matrix should have eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of an ideal Bose-Einstein condensate, this being a very physical condition for cases where the system is also an ideal Bose condensation in the laboratory frame. One choice fulfilling this boundary condition is given by the internal Jacobi coordinates, while the internal coordinates with respect to the center of mass do not satisfy the condition. Based on our criterion, a general definition of the internal one-particle density matrix is presented in a self-bound system, consisting of interacting bosons.

cond-mat.other↗
arXiv2008

Alpha-Particle Condensation in Nuclear Systems

The onset of quartetting, i.e. alpha-particle condensation, in symmetric nuclear matter is studied with the help of an in-medium modified four nucleon equation. It is found that at very low density quartetting wins over pairing, because of the strong binding of the alpha-particles. The critical temperature can reach values up to around 6 MeV. Also the disappearance of alpha-particles with increasing density, i.e. the Mott transition, is investigated. In finite nuclei the Hoyle state, that is the 0_2^+ of 12C, is identified as an "alpha-particle condensate" state. It is conjectured that such states also exist in heavier n alpha-nuclei, like 16O, 20Ne, etc. For instance the 6-th 0^+ state of 16O at 15.1 MeV is identified from a theoretical analysis as being a strong candidate for an alpha condensate state. Exploratory calculations are performed for the density dependence of the alpha condensate fraction at zero temperature to address the suppression of the four-particle condensate below nuclear-matter density. Possible quartet condensation in other systems is discussed briefly

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arXiv2008

Alpha-particle condensation in 16O via a full four-body OCM calculation

In order to explore the 4 α-particle condensate state in 16O, we solve a full four-body equation of motion based on the 4 αOCM (Orthogonality Condition Model) in a large 4 αmodel space spanned by Gaussian basis functions. A full spectrum up to the 0_6^+ state is reproduced consistently with the lowest six 0^+ states of the experimental spectrum. The 0^+_6 state is obtained at about 2 MeV above the 4 αbreakup threshold and has a dilute density structure, with a radius of about 5 fm. The state has an appreciably large αcondensate fraction of 61 %, and a large component of α+12C(0_2^+) configuration, both features being reliable evidence for this state to be of 4 αcondensate nature.

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arXiv2008

Density-induced suppression of the alpha-particle condensate in nuclear matter and the structure of alpha cluster states in nuclei

At low densities, with decreasing temperatures, in symmetric nuclear matter alpha-particles are formed, which eventually give raise to a quantum condensate with four-nucleon alpha-like correlations (quartetting). Starting with a model of alpha-matter, where undistorted alpha particles interact via an effective interaction such as the Ali-Bodmer potential, the suppression of the condensate fraction at zero temperature with increasing density is considered. Using a Jastrow-Feenberg approach, it is found that the condensate fraction vanishes near saturation density. Additionally, the modification of the internal state of the alpha particle due to medium effects will further reduce the condensate. In finite systems, an enhancement of the S state wave function of the c.o.m. orbital of alpha particle motion is considered as the correspondence to the condensate. Wave functions have been constructed for self-conjugate 4n nuclei which describe the condensate state, but are fully antisymmetrized on the nucleonic level. These condensate-like cluster wave functions have been successfully applied to describe properties of low-density states near the n alpha threshold. Comparison with OCM calculations in 12C and 16O shows strong enhancement of the occupation of the S-state c.o.m. orbital of the alpha-particles. This enhancement is decreasing if the baryon density increases, similar to the density-induced suppression of the condensate fraction in alpha matter. The ground states of 12C and 16O show no enhancement at all, thus a quartetting condensate cannot be formed at saturation densities.

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arXiv2006

Evidence for an alpha cluster condensed state in 16O(alpha,alpha') at 400 MeV

Inelastic $α$ scattering on 16O is studied at 400 MeV by using an ice target. Near the 4-alpha breakup threshold of 14.4 MeV, a broad peak is observed at an excitation energy of 13.6+/-0.2 MeV with a width of 0.6+/-0.2 MeV. The spin-parity is estimated to be 0+ from the momentum-transfer dependence. The observed width is significantly larger than those of the neighboring 0+ states indicating a state with a well-developed alpha cluster structure. The magnitude of the cross section is sensitive to the density distribution of the constituent alpha clusters. The observed cross section is consistent with the theoretical prediction for the alpha cluster condensed state characterized by its dilute density distribution with a large root-mean-square radius of about 4.3 fm.

nucl-ex↗
arXiv2006

On-site underground background measurements for the KASKA reactor-neutrino experiment

On-site underground background measurements were performed for the planned reactor-neutrino oscillation experiment KASKA at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power station in Niigata, Japan. A small-diameter boring hole was excavated down to 70m underground level, and a detector unit for $γ$-ray and cosmic-muon measurements was placed at various depths to take data. The data were analyzed to obtain abundance of natural radioactive elements in the surrounding soil and rates of cosmic muons that penetrate the overburden. The results will be reflected in the design of the KASKA experiment.

hep-ex↗
arXiv2006

Letter of Intent for KASKA: High Accuracy Neutrino Oscillation Measurements with anti-nu_es from Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Station

One of the current most-demanded experiments in neutrino physics is to measure the last mixing angle theta_13. KASKA is an experiment to detect new type of reactor neutrino oscillation and to measure sin^2 2theta_13 accurately using the world's most powerful nuclear reactor complex; Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power station. KASKA utilizes near and far detectors of identical structure at nearly optimized baselines and underground depths to cancel most of the systematics and reduce backgrounds. The expected sensitivity is sin^2 2theta_13~0.015, which is 10 times better sensitivity than the current upper limit measured by CHOOZ reactor experiment. Extension of KASKA project has potential to accurately measure other anti-nu_e oscillation parameters. Intense and precisely known neutrino flux measured by the KASKA-theta_13 phase can be used to pin down sin^2 2theta_12 at a baseline ~50km and to measure Dm^2_13 for the first time at a baseline ~5km. This Letter of Intent describes physics motivation, detector system and expected performance of the KASKA experiment.

hep-ex↗
arXiv2006

Inelastic form factors to alpha particle condensate states in 12C and 16O: what can we learn ?

In order to discuss the spatial extention of the second 0+ state of 12C (Hoyle state), we analyze the inelastic form factor of electron scattering to the Hoyle state, which our 3 alpha condensate wave function reproduces very well like previous 3 alpha RGM/GCM models. The analysis is made by varying the size of the Hoyle state artificially. As a result, we find that only the maximum value of the form factor sensitively depends on its size, while the positions of maximum and minimum are almost unchanged. This size dependence is found to come from a characteristic feature of the transition density from the ground state to the Hoyle state. We further show the theoretical predictions of the inelastic form factor to the second 2+ state of 12C, which was recently observed above the Hoyle state, and of the inelastic form factor to the calculated third 0+ state of 16O, which was conjectured to correspond to the 4 alpha condensed state in previous theoretical work by the present authors.

nucl-th↗
arXiv2005

New Treatment of Resonances with Bound State Approximation by Using Pseudo Potential

We propose a new approach to extract the wave functions of resonances by the bound state approximation which gives the mixed states of the resonance components and the continuum ones. In our approach, on the basis of the method of analytic continuation in the coupling constant (ACCC), we construct Padé rational function by adopting the positive energies as well as the negative ones. We report the result of the application of this new method to the second $2^+$ state of $^{12}$C which was studied with the ACCC method in our previous work. It is found that the resonance parameters obtained by the ACCC method are well reproduced by the new method. Some advantages over the ACCC method are also shown.

nucl-th↗
arXiv2004

Resonance states in 12C and alpha-particle condensation

The states with $J^π=0^+$, $2^+$, and $4^+$ of $^{12}$C with excitation energies less than about 15 MeV are investigated with the alpha condensate wave function with spatial deformation and by using the method of ACCC (analytic continuation in the coupling constant) which is necessary for a proper treatment of resonance states. The calculated energy and width of the recently observed $2_2^+$ state are found to be well reproduced. The obtained $2_2^+$ wave function has a large overlap with a single condensate wave function of $3α$ gas-like structure. The density distribution is shown to be almost the same as that of the $0_2^+$ state that is regarded as a $3α$ Bose-condensed state, if the energy of the $2_2^+$ state is scaled down to the same value as the one of the $0_2^+$ state. Furthermore, the kinetic energy, nuclear interaction energy, and Coulomb interaction energy of the calculated $2_2^+$ state are shown to be very similar to those of the $0_2^+$ state. We conclude that the $2_2^+$ state has a structure similar to the $0_2^+$ state of Bose-condensate character with a dilute $3α$ gas-like structure. In addition the resonance states, $0_3^+$, $0_4^+$, $4_2^+$, are also discussed.

nucl-th↗
arXiv2003

Analysis of previous microscopic calculations for second $0^+$ state in $^{12}$C in terms of 3-alpha particle Bose-condensed state

The wave function of the second $0^+$ state of $^{12}$C which was obtained long time ago by solving the microscopic 3$α$ problem is shown to be almost completely equivalent to the wave function of the 3$α$ condensed state which has been proposed recently by the present authors. This equivalence of the wave functions is shown to hold in two cases where different effective two-nucleon forces are adopted. This finding gives strong support for interpreting the second $0^+$ state of $^{12}$C which is the key state for the synthesis of $^{12}$C in stars ('Hoyle' state), and which is one of the typical mysterious $0^+$ states in light nuclei, as a gas-like structure of three $α$ particles, Bose-condensed into an identical s-wave function.

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