Sequence of Potentials Lying Between the U(5) and X(5) Symmetries

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Starting from the original collective Hamiltonian of Bohr and separating the beta and gamma variables as in the X(5) model of Iachello, an exactly soluble model corresponding to a harmonic oscillator potential in the beta-variable (to be called X(5)-β²) is constructed. Furthermore, it is proved that the potentials of the form β²ⁿ (with n being integer) provide a ``bridge'' between this new X(5)-β² model (occuring for n=1) and the X(5) model (corresponding to an infinite well potential in the beta-variable, materialized for n going to infinity. Parameter-free (up to overall scale factors) predictions for spectra and B(E2) transition rates are given for the potentials β², β⁴, β⁶, β⁸, corresponding to E(4)/E(2) ratios of 2.646, 2.769, 2.824, and 2.852 respectively, compared to the E(4)/E(2) ratios of 2.000 for U(5) and 2.904 for X(5). Hints about nuclei showing this behaviour, as well as about potentials ``bridging'' the X(5) symmetry with SU(3) are briefly discussed.