A comparison between algebraic models of molecular spectroscopy

We discuss a symmetry-adapted algebraic (or vibron) model for molecular spectroscopy. The model is formulated in terms of tensor operators under the molecular point group. In this way, we have identified interactions that are absent in previous versions of the vibron model, in which the Hamiltonian is expressed in terms of Casimir operators and their products. The inclusion of these new interactions leads to reliable spectroscopic predictions. As an example we study the vibrational excitations of the methane molecule, and compare our results with those obtained in other algebraic models.