Clustering aspects of nuclei with octupole and superdeformation

Extreme nuclear shapes are considered from the clustering point of view. General aspects of light nuclei which possess very exotic, elongated shapes (“α-strings”) are given. The relation between superdeformation and di-molecules is considered, and it is shown that nuclear di-molecules have the same magic numbers and orbits filled as the ellipsoidal superdeformations for light nuclei, while for heavier nuclei they are expected in different mass-regions. The structure of possible octupole-unstable 3∶1 nuclear shapes (“hyperdeformations”) is discussed. Indications and consequences of a four-fold symmetry of the nuclear hamiltonian are briefly discussed.