Triton Binding Energy Predictions for Phase-Shift Equivalent Potentials

Abstract

We compare theoretical predictions of the triton binding energy for a set of exactly phase-shift equivalent potentials. The potentials are generated through a rank one unitary transformation of the S- wave, spin independent Malfliet-Tjon V potential. We find that potentials that give drastically different (up to 27 MeV) nuclear matter binding energies, but nearly identical deuteron wave functions, give only small (1 MeV) variations in triton binding energy. For the potentials studied, large variations (up to 4.55 MeV) in triton binding energy occur only when there are significant differences in the deuteron wave functions. We find that potentials with enhanced deuteron charge form factors give increased binding in the triton.