  The $\alpha$ cluster states are discussed in a model frame of extended quantum molecular dynamics. Different alpha cluster structures are studied in details, such as $^8$Be two-$\alpha$ cluster structure, $^{12}$C triangle structure, $^{12}$C chain structure, $^{16}$O chain structure, $^{16}$O kite structure, and $^{16}$O square structure. The properties studied, include as the width of wave packets for different $\alpha$ clusters, momentum distribution, and the binding energy among $\alpha$ clusters. It is also discussed how the $\alpha$ cluster degree of freedom affects nuclear collective vibrations. The cluster configurations in $^{12}$C and $^{16}$O are found to have corresponding characteristic spectra of giant dipole resonance (GDR), and the coherences of different $\alpha$ clusters's dipole oscillation are described in details. The geometrical and dynamical symmetries of $\alpha$-clustering configurations are responsible for the number and centroid energies of peaks of GDR spectra. Therefore, the GDR can be regarded as an effective probe to diagnose different $\alpha$ cluster configurations in light nuclei. 
Dipole oscillation modes in light $\alpha$-clustering nuclei