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

Understand

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.