Optimal polynomial theory applied to 0–350 MeV pp scattering

The optimal polynomial theory of Cutkosky, Deo, and Ciulli has been tested for its use in a multienergy phase-shift analysis of pp scattering data below $T_{\mathrm{lab}=350\mathrm{}}$ MeV. The power of the optimal polynomial theory to predict higher partial wave phase parameters is investigated also for a realistic potential model; the Nijmegen potential. It is seen that the optimal polynomial theory has indeed predictive power whenever the phase parameters do not decrease too rapidly as a function of the orbital angular momentum. For a high-quality phase-shift analysis, the optimal polynomial theory does not predict F and G waves well enough. Therefore, these have to be parametrized. The predictive power of the optimal polynomial theory is then only used for higher partial waves. It appears that the Nijmegen potential tail contains valuable physical information beyond the optimal polynomial theory.