Yrast band in the heavy N = Z nucleus $$^{88}$$Ru: $$\alpha $$-cluster approach

Abstract

AbstractThe yrast band in the heavy $$N = Z$$ N = Z nucleus $$^{88}$$ 88 Ru is studied in the framework of the $$\alpha $$ α -cluster model in combination with double-folding potentials. It is found that the excitation energies of the yrast band in $$^{88}$$ 88 Ru can be nicely described within the $$\alpha $$ α -cluster approach using a smooth and mildly L-dependent adjustment of the potential strength. This result is similar to well-established $$\alpha $$ α -cluster states in nuclei with a (magic core $$\otimes $$ ⊗ $$\alpha $$ α ) structure. Contrary, the yrast bands in neighboring $$N \ne Z$$ N ≠ Z nuclei deviate from such a typical $$\alpha $$ α -cluster behavior. Finally, the $$\alpha $$ α -cluster model predicts reduced transition strengths of about 10 Weisskopf units for intraband transitions between low-lying states in the yrast band of $$^{88}$$ 88 Ru.