Present status of the long range component of the nuclear force

TL;DR

This paper investigates the existence of long-range components in nuclear forces by analyzing proton-proton scattering data, revealing a potential long-range interaction inconsistent with traditional meson theory and suggesting a Van der Waals type force.

Contribution

The study introduces a new analytical method to detect long-range nuclear forces and provides evidence of an unexpected singularity indicating a possible Van der Waals type interaction.

Findings

Sharp cusp at ν=0 suggests a long-range component

Contradicts traditional meson theory predictions

Proposes experiments to confirm Van der Waals interaction

Abstract

In order to settle the fundamental question whether the nuclear forces involve the long range components, the S-wave amplitude of the proton-proton scattering is analysed in search for the extra singularity at $\nu=0$, which corresponds to the long range force. To facilitate the search, a function, which is free from the singularities in the neighborhood of $\nu=0$ when all the interactions are short range, is constructed. The calculation of such a function from the phase shift data reveals a sharp cusp at $\nu=0$ in contradiction to the meson theory of the nuclear force. The type of the extra singularity at $\nu=0$ is close to what is expected in the case of the strong van der Waals interaction. Physical meanings of the long range force in the nuclear force are discussed. Low energy p-p experiments to confirm directly the strong long range interaction are also proposed, in which the characteristic interference patten of the Coulonb and the Van der Waals forces is predicted.