New insights on pseudospin doublets in nuclei

The relevance of pseudospin symmetry in nuclei is considered. New insights are obtained from looking at the continuous transition from a non-relativistic model satisfying spin symmetry to another one satisfying pseudospin symmetry. This study suggests that there are models allowing no missing single-particle states in this transition, contrary to what is usually advocated. It rather points to an association of pseudospin partners that is quite different from the one generally assumed, together with a strong violation of the corresponding symmetry. This assignment is supported by an examination of the wave functions and related quantities for the pseudospin partners.