Shape isomers of light nuclei from the stability and consistency of the SU(3) symmetry

Abstract We investigate the stability and self-consistency of the SU(3) symmetry and quadrupole deformation in light nuclei in terms of the Nilsson model and quasi-dynamical symmetry. It turns out that SU(3) is a remarkably good symmetry for commensurable major axes, similarly to the finding of the simple harmonic oscillator interaction. The method serves as an alternative to the well-known energy-minimum calculation for the determination of the shape isomers. In case of the 16 O, 20 Ne, and 24 Mg nuclei the results of the two different procedures are in good agreement with each other.