Ab initio computations of strongly deformed nuclei around ⁸⁰Zr

Nuclei around N≈ Z≈ 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 ⁷²Kr, 76,78Sr, 78,80Zr and ⁸⁴Mo 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.