Distortion effects in an assembly of clusters are studied by using a trial wave function in which—in addition to the intercluster separations—the size parameters of individual clusters appear as generator coordinates. An application to the nucleus ${}_{}{}^6{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Li}$, which is described as a bound alpha + deuteron system, shows that these new degrees of freedom, which can lead to compressional vibrations, are indeed important. We find that the deuteron cluster is compressed, whereas the size and the compressibility of the alpha cluster are unchanged with respect to the free case.

• Received 7 March 1984

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.30.1044