Tensor Forces and the Triton Binding Energy

Abstract

The binding energy of the triton has been calculated variationally employing the Hylleraas expansion for the trial wave functions, thus permitting a systematic improvement in the binding energy. The procedure used was tested by applying it to the binding energy problem of the deuteron with tensor forces. The present theory, assuming a rectangular-well shape with a range of 2.8 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}13}$ cm for all the internucleon potentials, yields a ${\mathrm{H}}^{3}$ binding energy 40 percent to 50 percent of the experimental value. Various suggestions for resolving this dilemma are discussed.