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Title: Covariant three-body equations in field theory

Journal Article · · AIP Conference Proceedings
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.48085· OSTI ID:165684
 [1];  [2]
  1. Mathematical Institute of Georgian Academy of Sciences, Z. Rukhadze 1, 380093 Tbilisi (Georgia)
  2. School of Physical Sciences, Flinders University of South Australia, Bedford Park, S.A. 5042 (Australia)

We have derived four-dimensional relativistic three-body equations for the case of a field theory with a three-point interaction vertex. These equations describe the coupled 2{r_arrow}2, 2{r_arrow}3, and 3{r_arrow}3 processes, and provide the means of calculating the kernel of the 2{r_arrow}2 Bethe-Salpeter equation. Our equations differ from all previous formulations in two essential ways. First, we have overcome the overcounting problems inherent in earlier works. Second, we have retained all possible two-body forces when one particle is a spectator. In this respect, we show how it is necessary to also retain certain three-body forces as these can give rise to (previously overlooked) two-body forces when used in a 2{r_arrow}3 process. The revealing of such hidden two-body forces is necessary for unitarity, and gives rise to a rich description where, for example, all the crossing contributions of the ladder graphs are retained. A further novel feature of our equations is the appearance of a number of subtraction terms. In the case of the {pi}{ital NN} system, for example, the {ital NN} potential involves a subtraction term where two pions, exchanged between the nucleons, interact with each other through the {pi}-{pi} t-matrix. The necessity of an input {pi}-{pi} interaction is surprising and contrasts markedly with the corresponding three-dimensional description of the {pi}{ital NN} system where no such interaction explicitly appears. {copyright} {ital 1995} {ital American} {ital Institute} {ital of} {ital Physics}.

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
165684
Report Number(s):
CONF-9405132-; ISSN 0094-243X; TRN: 96:002348
Journal Information:
AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 334, Issue 1; Conference: 14. International IUPAP conference on few body problems in physics, Williamsburg, VA (United States), 26-31 May 1994; Other Information: PBD: 10 May 1995
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English