Persistence of rotational bands in a coupled SU(3) model

To understand better the emergence of rotational structures in a variety of situations, a model in which two SU(3) irreps are coupled via a quadrupole-quadrupole (Q · Q) interaction is considered. Strong coupling of different SU(3) irreps gives rise to low-lying rotor bands. We study the excited bands that occur and the perturbation effects of the rotational decoupling. Persistence of rotational-like bands for a large range of coupling strengths is observed. However, although for very weak interaction strengths the electromagnetic transition rates are consistent with those of the rotor model, the excitation energy ratios look more vibrational, a phenomenon which has been observed in many nuclei. (author)