Since the two-nucleon interaction depends only on the relative distance, this means that we can separate Schroedinger's equation in an equation for the center-of-mass motion and one for the relative motion.

With an equation for the relative motion only and a separate one for the center-of-mass motion we need to redefine the two-body quantum numbers.

Previously we had a two-body state vector defined as \( |(j_1j_2)JM_J\rangle \) in a coupled basis. We will now define the quantum numbers for the relative motion. Here we need to define new orbital momenta (since these are the quantum numbers which change). We define $$ \hat{l}_1+\hat{l}_2=\hat{\lambda}=\hat{l}+\hat{L}, $$ where \( \hat{l} \) is the orbital momentum associated with the relative motion and \( \hat{L} \) the corresponding one linked with the CoM. The total spin \( S \) is unchanged since it acts in a different space. We have thus that $$ \hat{J}=\hat{l}+\hat{L}+\hat{S}, $$ which allows us to define the angular momentum of the relative motion $$ { \cal J} = \hat{l}+\hat{S}, $$ where \( { \cal J} \) is the total angular momentum of the relative motion.