Complex angular momentum approach to nuclear scattering : a review

This review article describes the formulation and application of complex angular momentum method to nuclear scattering problems. Regge type representations for nuclear and Coulomb-nuclear problem are discussed for the scattering of spin zero, spin 1/2 and spin 1 particles from spin zero targets. The nature of Regge trajectories constructed from the energy levels of compound nuclei are described for the light nuclear systems like α-α, α-C13, p-O+H16, α-O16, n-O16, p-C12 and n-C12. Different methods of using the Regge trajectory and polology in the analysis of the nuclear scattering are summarised including their role in the description of heavy ion scattering amplitude. The review brings out both the advantages and draw-backs that one finds in using the complex angular momentum method in the analysis of nuclear scattering. (author)