We analyze in detail the analytical solutions of the Dirac equation with
scalar S and vector V Coulomb radial potentials near the limit of spin and
pseudospin symmetries, i.e., when those potentials have the same magnitude and
either the same sign or opposite signs, respectively. By performing an
expansion of the relevant coefficients we also assess the perturbative nature
of both symmetries and their relations the (pseudo)spin-orbit coupling. The
former analysis is made for both positive and negative energy solutions and we
reproduce the relations between spin and pseudospin symmetries found before for
nuclear mean-field potentials. We discuss the node structure of the radial
functions and the quantum numbers of the solutions when there is spin or
pseudospin symmetry, which we find to be similar to the well-known solutions of
hydrogenic atoms.Comment: 9 pages, 2 figures, uses revte
