Low energy experimental data for the $\alpha -\alpha$ system are accurately described by an attractive local angular momentum and energy independent $\alpha -\alpha$ potential. The Woods-Saxon potential recently derived by Marquez is virtually identical to the Gaussian $\alpha -\alpha$ potential given by Buck et al. in 1977.

• Received 6 March 1984

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.30.1102