Topical collection on light clusters in nuclei and nuclear matter: nuclear structure and decay, heavy-ion collisions, and astrophysics

Recent progress to treat clustering in nuclear systems has an impact different branches of theory. Numerical methods as well many-body theory (Green-function methods) have been worked out describe few-body clusters a environment where medium effects, particular the antisymmetrization wave function (Pauli blocking) are relevance. Nuclear structure (Hoyle – like states), reactions, and consequences for astrophysics (neutron stars, supernova explosions) emerging applications. The main topics were (1) Cluster models, light nuclei, cluster quantum phase transition; (2) Reaction theory, $$\alpha $$ -decay heavy superheavy nuclei; (3) Clustering matter thermodynamic properties (4) Heavy-ion collisions nonequilibrium systems, transport codes; (5) Astrophysical clustering.