The dispersive optical model for n + ²⁰⁸Pb and n + ²⁰⁹Bi

The dispersive optical model (DOM) provides a natural connection between the shell model potential for bound states and the optical model for nucleon scattering at positive energies. At TUNL we have developed DOMs for neutron scattering for ten nuclei between ²⁷Al and ²⁰⁹Bi. In these studies we rely on TUNL measurements of differential cross-section (σ(θ)) and analyzing power, as well as a wealth of σ(θ) and total cross section measurements from numerous other laboratories. In this paper we briefly outline the DOM method and the achievements in describing scattering data for n + ²⁰⁸Pb and n + ²⁰⁹Bi and single-particle bound-state data for neutrons in ²⁰⁸Pb.