Using the example of ${}_{}{}^{12}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{-}_{}^{208}{}_{}{}^{}$Pb elastic scattering at ${\mathit{E}}_{\mathrm{lab}}$=1449 MeV it is shown that, at sufficiently high energies, a full quantum mechanical inversion of heavy-ion scattering data can be performed. Furthermore it is pointed out that the strong absorption model as parametrized by McIntyre, Wang, and Becker is associated with a potential having strong repulsion at the origin. That repulsion is a remnant of the built-in point Coulomb S matrix. Finally, a systematic study is presented to define the necessary accuracy of experiment required to extend the knowledge of the nucleus-nucleus interaction to smaller radii.

• Received 2 August 1991

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.45.2919