Dilute gas-like configurations of $\alpha$ particles, often termed $\alpha$ condensates, have been proposed to exist in certain excited states of $\alpha$-conjugate nuclei. This work investigates the structural and decay properties of $\alpha$-condensate candidates within a few-body framework using leading-order cluster effective field theory interactions. To isolate dilute $N\alpha$ configurations, a constrained model space strategy is implemented inspired by Yamada and Schuck [Phys. Rev. C 69, 024309 (2004)], which constructs a description specifically for suprathreshold states. By explicitly decoupling the nonuniversal, compact configurations lying below the $N\alpha$ threshold, this framework describes $N\alpha$ condensates as quasibound states localized within the Coulomb barrier. The stochastic variational method is used to perform theoretical calculations for the proposed $N\alpha$ condensates ranging from ${}^8\mathrm{Be}$ to ${}^{20}\mathrm{Ne}$. The results not only map the formation of these novel cluster states in heavier $\alpha$-conjugate nuclei but also offer critical insights into the applicability of few-body universality to charged particles.

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• Nuclear forces
• Nuclear structure & decays
• 6 ≤ A ≤ 19
• Cluster models