Within the framework of the relativistic plane wave impulse approximation, we study the observable consequences of employing a complete Lorentz invariant representation of the nucleon-nucleon (NN) scattering matrix in terms of 44 independent amplitudes, as opposed to the previously employed, but ambiguous, five-term Lorentz invariant parametrization of the NN scattering matrix, for the prediction of complete sets of exclusive $\left(\vec{p},2\vec{p}\right)$ polarization transfer observables. Two kinematic conditions are considered, namely, proton knockout from the $3s_{1∕2}$ state of ${}^{208}\mathrm{Pb}$ at an incident energy of $202\text{MeV}$ for coplanar scattering angles $\left(28.0°,-54.6°\right)$, as well as an incident energy of $392\text{MeV}$ for the angle pair $\left(32.5°,-80.0°\right)$. The results indicate that certain spin observables are ideal for discriminating between the two representations.

• Received 12 August 2003

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.69.024618