A Data View of Nuclear Symmetries

Symmetries in nuclei are generally introduced via mathematical properties of models and a

general applicability of the models to fitting data, but rigorous confrontation of the existence of

symmetries in nuclei with data is rare or non-existent. The well-established views of axially

symmetry (nuclear deformation) and quasispin SU(2) dynamical symmetry (many-body pairing

in spherical nuclei) are introduced and their limitations explored based on data. Less well-

established views, such as SO(5) symmetry and five-dimensional collective models, are then

sketched. A need to adhere more closely to a data-based view and simple models is urged;

complex and intricate models appear less tenable than simple mixing of configurations defined

by elementary models.