Sequence of potentials lying between the U(5) and X(5) symmetries

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)-$\beta^2$) is constructed. Furthermore, it is proved that the potentials of the form $\beta^{2n}$ (with n being integer) provide a ``bridge'' between this new X(5)-$\beta^2$ 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 $\beta^2$, $\beta^4$, $\beta^6$, $\beta^8$, 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.