  The relationship between the deformed harmonic oscillator and the formation
of molecular cluster structures, whereby valence neutrons are exchanged between
cluster cores, is examined. It is found that there is a strong connection
between the properties of the valence orbitals associated with deformed
structures in the deformed harmonic oscillator and the molecular orbitals
created by linear combinations of single-centre orbitals around nuclear
clusters. The conclusion is that in addition to the appearance of clustering in
the deformed harmonic oscillator that \emph{every} prolate deformed cluster
structure should have molecular orbitals built on that structure. This is
demonstrated through a series of examples that range from $^{13}$C to
$^{57}$Ni.

Nuclear Theory