Utilizing Symmetry Coupling Schemes in Ab Initio Nuclear Structure Calculations

We report on ab initio no-core shell model calculations in a symmetryadapted SU(3)-based coupling scheme that demonstrate that collective modes in p-shell nuclei emerge from first principles. The low-lying states of Li, He, Be, B, C, and O, are shown to exhibit orderly patterns that favor spatial configurations with strong quadrupole deformation and complementary low intrinsic spin values, a picture that is consistent with the nuclear symplectic model. The results also suggest a pragmatic path forward to accommodate deformation-driven collective features in ab initio analyses when they dominate the nuclear landscape.