Parametrization of the S0 two nucleon transition matrix

The ¹S₀ two-nucleon transition matrix T is constructed from the symmetric part σ of its half-shell elements. The on-shell component of σ is given by the phase shift, while a wide class of parametrizations is suggested for the off-shell part. Restrictions on the off-shell part of σ arising from the short range and the proper one-pion-exchange tail of the nucleon-nucleon interaction are investigated. Using σ in the ¹S₀ and the Reid soft-core potential in the other partial waves, the binding energy per particle in nuclear matter and ¹⁶O and the ¹⁸O shell-model spectrum are computed. The sensitivity of these nuclear-structure results is tested with respect to (i) smooth off-shell changes in σ, (ii) various assumptions on the high-energy phase shift, (iii) the charge dependence of the phase shift, and (iv) experimental uncertainties in the phase shift.