LINEAR NUCLEI - A DENSITY-FUNCTIONAL INTERPRETATION

We show that linear shape isomers of small even-even nuclei exist with nearly any internucleon interactions. The shapes of the linear isomer s look like chains of alpha-particles, but single-particle spectrum re veals that alpha-particle interpretation is not needed. Indeed, the sa me shapes are obtained even with noninteracting particles in a rectang ular cavity. Linear shape isomers are shown to exist also in metal clu sters.