Yrast band in the heavy $N = Z$ nucleus $^{88}$Ru: $\alpha$-cluster approach

The yrast band in the heavy $$N = Z$$ nucleus $$^{88}$$ Ru is studied in the framework of the $$\alpha $$ -cluster model in combination with double-folding potentials. It is found that the excitation energies of the yrast band in $$^{88}$$ Ru can be nicely described within the $$\alpha $$ -cluster approach using a smooth and mildly L-dependent adjustment of the potential strength. This result is similar to well-established $$\alpha $$ -cluster states in nuclei with a (magic core $$\otimes $$ $$\alpha $$ ) structure. Contrary, the yrast bands in neighboring $$N \ne Z$$ nuclei deviate from such a typical $$\alpha $$ -cluster behavior. Finally, the $$\alpha $$ -cluster model predicts reduced transition strengths of about 10 Weisskopf units for intraband transitions between low-lying states in the yrast band of $$^{88}$$ Ru.