It is shown that the anomalously large double binding energy differences for even-even $N=Z$ nuclei are a consequence of Wigner's SU(4) symmetry. These, and similar quantities for odd-mass and odd-odd nuclei, provide a simple and distinct signature of this symmetry in $N\simeq Z$ nuclei.

• Received 21 December 1994

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.74.4607