The spin observables in quasielastic proton scattering are calculated in a simple relativistic model where the NN interaction is assumed to depend on the enhancement of the lower components of nucleon wave functions (because of strong nuclear potentials). This enhancement is characterized by an average effective mass $M^{\mathrm{*}}$ of (0.8–0.9)M which is calculated in an eikonal model. The $M^{\mathrm{*}}$ dependence of the NN interaction is taken from relativistic impulse approximation calculations. The polarization is found to decrease by 40 percent compared to the free NN value at 500 MeV. Next, simple formulas are provided to estimate the effects of spin-orbit potential distortions on spin observables. At 500 MeV and 18.5° in ${}_{}{}^{208}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Pb}$, the polarization is decreased by 5 percent while $D_{l\mathcal{’}l}$ and $D_{s\mathcal{’}s}$ are decreased by 15 percent and $D_{\mathrm{nn}}$ is almost unchanged.

• Received 9 December 1985

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.33.2059