This paper deals with bases in a finite-dimensional Hilbert space. Such a
space can be realized as a subspace of the representation space of SU(2)
corresponding to an irreducible representation of SU(2). The representation
theory of SU(2) is reconsidered via the use of two truncated deformed
oscillators. This leads to replace the familiar scheme {j^2, j_z} by a scheme
{j^2, v(ra)}, where the two-parameter operator v(ra) is defined in the
enveloping algebra of the Lie algebra su(2). The eigenvectors of the commuting
set of operators {j^2, v(ra)} are adapted to a tower of chains SO(3) > C(2j+1),
2j integer, where C(2j+1) is the cyclic group of order 2j+1. In the case where
2j+1 is prime, the corresponding eigenvectors generate a complete set of
mutually unbiased bases. Some useful relations on generalized quadratic Gauss
sums are exposed in three appendices.Comment: 33 pages; version2: rescaling of generalized Hadamard matrices,
acknowledgment and references added, misprints corrected; version 3:
published in SIGMA (Symmetry, Integrability and Geometry: Methods and
Applications) at http://www.emis.de/journals/SIGMA/ (22 pages
