Symmetry-Based Approach to Shape Coexistence in Nuclei

A symmetry-based approach for describing shape-coexistence, is presented in the framework of the interacting boson model of nuclei. It involves a construction of a number-conserving Hamiltonian which preserves the dynamical symmetry of selected bands associated with each shape, while breaking the symmetries in other states. The resulting structure embodies multiple partial dynamical symmetries. The procedure is applied to prolate-oblate and spherical-prolate-oblate coexistence, at and slightly away from the critical points.