The energy levels of molecular states in light nuclei are classified by irreducible representations of the group U(5). The excited spectra so classified of ${}_{}{}^{18}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{O}$ and ${}_{}{}^{20}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Ne}$ compare very well with the experimental excited spectra.

• Received 14 May 1986

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.35.851