NNscattningsdata

NNscattningsdata refers to datasets consisting of experimental measurements of nucleon–nucleon scattering, including proton–proton and neutron–proton interactions. The data typically comprise differential cross sections, total cross sections, spin observables such as analyzing power and spin-correlation coefficients, polarization transfer, and phase-shift information extracted from analyses. Measurements cover a broad energy range, from tens of MeV to several GeV, and are collected from many accelerator facilities worldwide.

Data are collected by international collaborations and compiled into public databases to enable global analyses of the nucleon-nucleon force. Notable examples include the SAID database managed by George Washington University for nucleon–nucleon scattering and various Nijmegen-group partial wave analyses. Each record typically includes the energy, scattering angle, observed value, uncertainty, and experimental citation, along with meta-data about normalization and systematic errors. Data may be provided in ASCII tabulations, ROOT files, or other machine-readable formats.

Uses of NNscattningsdata include underpinning the construction and refinement of phenomenological and meson-exchange NN interaction potentials, essential for partial-wave analyses, and feeding calculations in few-body and nuclear-structure theory. They also serve as benchmarks for lattice QCD and effective field theory approaches. Challenges include inconsistent normalization across experiments, limited polarization data at high energies, and the need for correlated error handling in global fits.

Access and standards: NNscattningsdata are largely open in established databases with citable references. Proper citation of original experiments and analytic methods is required. Ongoing work aims to expand coverage, improve error modeling, and harmonize data formats to facilitate automated analyses and reproducibility.