A novel approach to clustering in light nuclei, the Algebraic Cluster Model (ACM), will be introduced and used to describe energy levels, electromagnetic transition rates, and form factors in electron scattering, for kα-structures with k=2 (⁸Be, Z₂ symmetry), k=3 (¹²C, D_3h symmetry) and k=4 (¹⁶O, T_d symmetry). Recent experimental evidence for a triangular-like structure with D_3h symmetry in ¹²C, Fig.1, including both the ground state band and the Hoyle state band, will be presented. Finally, current work on clustering in kα-structures + x-neutrons (-protons) will be presented for k=2, x=1 (⁹Be and ⁹B), k=3, x=1 (¹³C and ¹³N) and k=4, x=1 (¹⁷O and ¹⁷F).

Argonne Physics Division Colloquium Schedule