# High-precision covariant one-boson-exchange potentials for np scattering below 350 MeV

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a covariant one-boson-exchange potential that accurately fits neutron-proton scattering data below 350 MeV with fewer parameters, matching experimental results and the triton binding energy without extra forces.

## Contribution

It presents a new covariant OBE potential that achieves high-precision fit to np scattering data with fewer parameters and reproduces the triton binding energy without three-nucleon forces.

## Key findings

- Fits 2006 np data with chi2/Ndata = 1.06
- Uses fewer adjustable parameters than previous models
- Reproduces triton binding energy without additional forces

## Abstract

All realistic potential models for the two-nucleon interaction are to some extent based on boson exchange. However, in order to achieve an essentially perfect fit to the scattering data, characterized by a chi2/Ndata ~ 1, previous potentials have abandoned a pure one boson-exchange mechanism (OBE). Using a covariant theory, we have found a OBE potential that fits the 2006 world np data below 350 MeV with a chi2/Ndata = 1.06 for 3788 data. Our potential has fewer adjustable parameters than previous high-precision potentials, and also reproduces the experimental triton binding energy without introducing additional irreducible three-nucleon forces.