Here we introduce a practical approach to optical model phenomenology for heavy ions. The key idea is the determination of a ‘‘spline improved McIntyre’’ S matrix S(l) which is then subjected to S(l)-to-V(r) inversion. We apply this to fitting experimental data for ${}_{}{}^{16}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{O}$ on ${}_{}{}^{12}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{C}$ at 608 MeV and obtain potentials which are significantly different from those found from a simple optimization of McIntyre parameters followed by inversion. In particular we find quite different results for such qualitative features as W/V in the nuclear surface. The potential found is compared with that obtained by conventional analysis. The two-stage procedure has computational advantages for heavy ions.

• Received 25 June 1991

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.45.770