Ab initio computations of strongly deformed nuclei

While ab initio nuclear computations have advanced to the 208Pb region, nuclei with strong static or collective correlations — such as the strongly deformed nuclei or those exhibiting shape coexistence — remain challenging for nuclear theory. We developed coupled-cluster calculations that start from deformed Hartree-Fock states, followed by restoring broken rotational symmetry through angular-momentum projection. In this talk, I will present two recent applications in the A~80 region: one on heavy N=Z isotopes near 80Zr [1], and another on 78Ni towards 70Ca along 𝑁 =50 [2]. We found rich shape coexistence in this region and made predictions on the rotational bands, using chiral NN and 3N forces. We also conducted a systematic study of B(E2) transitions, and found the ab initio calculation reproduces the existing data well.

[1]. Ab initio computations of strongly deformed nuclei near 80Zr, B. S. Hu, Z. H. Sun, G. Hagen, and T. Papenbrock, Phys. Rev. C (Letter) 110, L011302 (2024). Editors’ Suggestion. arXiv:2405.05052.

[2]. Ab initio computations from 78Ni towards 70Ca along neutron number N = 50, B. S. Hu, Z. H. Sun, G. Hagen, G. R. Jansen, and T. Papenbrock, Phys. Lett. B 858, 139010 (2024). arXiv:2408.07856.