Ab initio computations of strongly deformed nuclei around $^{80}$Zr

TL;DR

This paper uses ab initio coupled-cluster methods to study shape coexistence and collective states in deformed nuclei around $^{80}$Zr, demonstrating progress and challenges in modeling heavy nuclei from fundamental interactions.

Contribution

First ab initio coupled-cluster calculations of low-lying states and electromagnetic transitions in deformed nuclei near $^{80}$Zr, capturing shape coexistence and rotational features.

Findings

Reproduced shape coexistence in studied nuclei.

Predicted rotational bands and electromagnetic transitions.

Identified limitations in accuracy for some observables.

Abstract

Nuclei around $N\approx Z\approx 40$ are strongly deformed and exhibit coexistence of shapes. These phenomena have challenged nuclear models. Here we perform ab initio coupled-cluster computations of low-lying collective states and electromagnetic quadrupole transitions of the even-even nuclei $^{72}$Kr, $^{76,78}$Sr, $^{78,80}$Zr and $^{84}$Mo starting from chiral nucleon-nucleon and three-nucleon forces. Our calculations reproduce the coexistence of oblate and prolate shapes in these nuclei, yield rotational bands and strong electromagnetic transitions, but are not accurate for some observables and nuclei. These results highlight the advances and challenges of ab initio computations of heavy deformed nuclei.