Exotic cluster structures in the mean-field theory

Investigations of exotic cluster-like phenomena in the framework of the Skyrme-Hartree-Fock approach are reported. The occurrence of highly excited isomeric states is discussed in connection with the question of their stability in static and time-dependent Hartree Fock (TDHF) calculations. We find rotational stabilization of a 4α chain structure in ¹⁶O occurring for a limited range of angular momenta. A toroidal configuration of ⁴⁰Ca was also stabilized by rotation and provides a very interesting example of rotation about a symmetry axis with a strictly quantized total angular momentum. Finally we look at the formation of nuclear pasta phases in a time-dependent approach and their classification.