Lorentz Boosted Nucleon-Nucleon T-matrix and the Triton Binding Energy

TL;DR

This paper investigates how a relativistic approach to nucleon-nucleon interactions affects the binding energy of the triton, finding a slight reduction compared to nonrelativistic models, with minimal impact from Wigner spin rotation.

Contribution

It introduces a relativistic mass operator derived from a phase equivalent NN potential and applies it to the three-nucleon system to compare binding energies.

Findings

Relativistic 3N Faddeev equation yields slightly less binding energy than nonrelativistic models.

Wigner spin rotation has a negligible effect on the triton binding energy.

Relativistic effects slightly modify the binding energy in three-nucleon systems.

Abstract

The phase equivalent relativistic NN potential, which is related by a nonlinear equation to the original nonrelativistic potential, is used to construct the mass operator (rest Hamiltonian) of the 3-nucleon system. Employing the CD Bonn NN potential, the solution of the relativistic 3N Faddeev equation for $^3$H shows slightly less binding energy than the corresponding nonrelativistic result. The effect of the Wigner spin rotation on the binding is very small.