Signature of clustering in quantum many-body systems probed by the giant dipole resonance

The present experimental study illustrates how large deformations attained by nuclei due to cluster formation are perceived through the giant dipole resonance (GDR) strength function. The high energy GDR $\gamma$-rays have been measured from $^{32}$S at different angular momenta ($J$) but similar temperatures in the reactions $^{4}$He(E$_{lab}$=45MeV) + $^{28}$Si and $^{20}$Ne(E$_{lab}$=145MeV) + $^{12}$C. The experimental data at lower J ($\sim$ 10$\hbar$) suggests a normal deformation, similar to the ground state value, showing no potential signature of clustering. However, it is found that the GDR lineshape is fragmented into two prominent peaks at high J ($\sim$ 20$\hbar$) providing a direct measurement of the large deformation developed in the nucleus. The observed lineshape is also completely different from the ones seen for Jacobi shape transition at high $J$ pointing towards the formation of cluster structure in super-deformed states of $^{32}$S at such high spin. Thus, the GDR can be regarded as a unique tool to study cluster formation at high excitation energies and angular momenta.