We show that a nonlinear Hamiltonian evolution can transform an SU(3) coherent state into a superposition of distinct SU(3) coherent states, with a superposition of two SU(2) coherent states presented as a special case. A phase space representation is depicted by projecting the multi-dimensional $Q$-symbol for the state to a spherical subdomain of the coset space. We discuss realizations of this nonlinear evolution in the contexts of nonlinear optics and Bose--Einstein condensates.
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