The nucleon-nucleon interaction

Abstract

We review the major progress of the past decade concerning our understanding of the nucleon-nucleon interaction. The focus is on the low-energy region (below pion production threshold), but a brief outlook towards higher energies is also given. The items discussed include charge-dependence, the precise value of the $\pi NN$ coupling constant, phase shift analysis and high-precision NN data and potentials. We also address the issue of a proper theory of nuclear forces. Finally, we summarize the essential open questions that future research should be devoted to.

Comments: 42 pages, 12 figures, iopart.cls style; Topical Review prepared for J. Phys. G: Nucl. Part. Phys