The Inverse-Scattering Problem: The View of a Few-Nucleon Theorist

The theoretical step from the experimental phase shifts in the partial waves of the nuclear force to a parametrization of the two-nucleon interaction is discussed. A nuclear-physics solution to the inverse-scattering problem is recalled. The procedure is only based on the assumption of Hermiticity for the underlying potential. The procedure is provided by the off-energy-shell continuation of the two-nucleon transition matrix. It is compared with the strategies of mathematicians for the same problem. Faddeev strongly influenced the mathematical side of the problem.