A study of nuclear structure of light nuclei at the electron–ion collider

Abstract

Understanding the substructure of atomic nuclei, particularly the clustering of nucleons inside them, is essential for comprehending nuclear dynamics. Various cluster configurations can emerge depending on excitation energy, the number and types of core clusters, and the presence of excess neutrons. Despite the prevalence of tightly bound cluster formations in low-lying states, understanding the correlation between clusters and their formation mechanisms remains incomplete. This exploring study investigates nuclear clustering at the electron–ion collider (EIC) using simulations based on the modified BeAGLE model. By simulating collisions involving \(e+^{9}\)Be, \(e+^{12}\)C, and \(e+^{16}\)O nuclei, we find that the average energy of particles \(\langle E \rangle \) and the system size ratios of particles at forward rapidity exhibit sensitivity to alpha clustering and its various configurations. These findings offer valuable insights into the dynamics of nuclear clustering and its implications for future studies at the EIC.