The Binding Energies of3H and4He

Abstract

The binding energies of ³H and ⁴He are calculated as part of an attempt to solve the `consistency' problem of light nuclei. A phenomenological two-body interaction, with central and tensor forces of different range, is assumed, the parameters being taken from a recent paper by Feshbach and Schwinger. The inclusion of additional sets of D-states in the wave functions is found to have a very appreciable effect on the binding energies. A rough calculation shows that the contribution of spin-orbit forces may not be negligible. Without a more extensive investigation into the effects of the additional D-states and the effect of spin-orbit forces, it is impossible to conclude that the interaction used leads to a satisfactory solution of the `consistency' problem.