Relativistic dynamics of spin-one particles and deuteron-nucleus scattering

Abstract

The relativistic description of proton-nucleus elastic scattering using the Dirac equation is extended to deuteron-nucleus elastic scattering. The connection between the spin-one Proca and Weinberg equations is discussed and it is shown that they are not equivalent in the presence of interactions. Close similarities between the Weinberg and Dirac equations as regards the generation of interactions and low energy properties are found. Deuteron scattering is described using the Weinberg equation within the framework of the deuteron folding model, assuming that nucleons interact with the nucleus through Dirac vector and scalar potentials. The resulting deuteron central potential is like that obtained with the nonrelativistic folding model but the spin-orbit is only one-half as strong because the g factor for spin one is 1. Possible explanations for this discrepancy are discussed.