Z(5): Critical point symmetry for the prolate to oblate nuclear shape phase transition

Abstract

A critical point symmetry for the prolate to oblate shape phase transition is introduced, starting from the Bohr Hamiltonian and approximately separating variables for $\gamma=30^{\rm o}$. Parameter-free (up to overall scale factors) predictions for spectra and B(E2) transition rates are found to be in good agreement with experimental data for 194-Pt, which is supposed to be located very close to the prolate to oblate critical point, as well as for its neighbours (192-Pt, 196-Pt).