Microscopic calculations of the imaginary part of the optical model potential

Microscopic calculations of the second order imaginary optical potential are presented for neutron and proton scattering from spherical target nuclei using random phase approximation transition densities for intermediate excited states. The contribution of the deuteron channel to the absorption is estimated. The sensitivity of the surface absorption on details of the nuclear structure wave functions is discussed. The calculations for the isoscalar term W0 of the optical potential, the isovector term W1 (Lane-term), and the Coulomb correction term ΔWC are reviewed. Successes and failures of the nuclear structure approach to the imaginary optical potential are discussed