On Spin-Orbit Interactions and Nucleon-Nucleon Scattering

Abstract

It is shown that one way of explaining the high energy proton-proton scattering data is by means of a spin-orbit coupling introduced into the nuclear interaction. The radial dependence of this coupling should be such that it has a strongly singular behavior at $r=0\mathrm{}$ and a small tail. It seems feasible to retain the charge independence of nuclear forces for all energies explored so far. A possible connection with M. Mayer's interpretation of the shell model of heavy nuclei is indicated.