[Clascomment] OPT-IN: Probing the core of the strong nuclear interaction

[Mikhail Osipenko]

Dear Authors,

I have few comments and questions:

In the abstract you state that you have studied NN-interaction at short distances better than in N-N scattering (which is model-dependent at p>400 MeV). However, I could not find in the article a comparison of NN-interaction potentials obtained in this measurement with those "model-dependent" from N-N scattering. I guess if the main goal was to show that you can access the potential in a less model-dependent way it is mandatory to make such a comparison and comment on it. Figs.2 and 3 do not give any idea how these will reflect on the NN-potential. Moreover, it might help to render article more understandable to an "average" reader. Although, it seems that your conclusion contradicts the abstract stating that "model-independent" NN-interaction from SRCs is well described by "model-dependent" potential AV18.

In your analysis you use approximation: p_i=p_missing, since you define SRC kinematics by x>1.2 cut and x is longitudinal projection of momentum would it be more appropriate to use approximation p_i=p_missing_long? For large p_missing the longitudinal projection is dominant and two definitions agree, but I am curious if it changes something at smaller p_miss.

You define E_miss=-T_i, assuming the nucleon was on-shell. Has this assumption any basis (sorry, but I don't remember all your papers on SRCs)? I would expect simply T_i~0, with E_miss=M-M_off-shell.