Relativistic dynamics of the deuteron: An estimate of the nuclear force parameters

Abstract

A relativistic dynamical model of the deuteron nucleus is presented. The neutron and proton are assumed to interact via a short-range Yukawa interaction of strength g2. A close parallel between the Bohr model of the hydrogen atom and the deuteron nucleus is established by quantizing the angular momentum for the Yukawa interaction in the same way that is done for the Coulomb interaction. The measured value of the deuteron binding energy for circular orbits is used to calculate the coupling constant g2, the tangential velocity of the component nucleons, and their separation. The results compare favorably with those obtained employing more sophisticated methods. By using the experimentally known root-mean-square radius of the electric charge of the deuteron, the model is also used to estimate the mean radius of the proton. The model highlights many important features of the nuclear force from basic principles.