A special mode of nuclear motion - the nature of 12C-12C interactions

The structure exhibited by two interacting 12C nuclei is considered and discussed. As accelerator technology relevant to heavy-ion studies has developed over the years, the exploration of this 12C-12C system has been continued to the higher energies needed for a fuller examination of the phenomena evident in the earliest data. It is here shown that all of the necessary information and analysis is not yet available, but a physical picture has emerged. How it can be tested, and what is needed to complete it are questions very much of current interest. having reviewed the history of these investigations the facts are examined and an opinion concerning them presented. (U.K.)