Relativistic one-boson-exchange model for the nucleon-nucleon interaction

Nucleon-nucleon data below 300-MeV laboratory energy are described by a manifestly covariant wave equation in which one of the intermediate nucleons is restricted to its mass shell. Antisymmetrization of the kernel yields an equation in which the two nucleons are treated in an {ital exactly} symmetric manner, and in which all amplitudes satisfy the Pauli principle {ital exactly}. The kernel is modeled by the sum of one boson exchanges, and four models, all of which fit the data very well ({chi}{sup 2}{congruent}3 per data point) are discussed. Two models require the exchange of {ital only} the {pi}, {sigma}, {rho}, and {omega}, but also require an admixture of {gamma}{sup 5} coupling for the pion, while two other models restrict the pion coupling to pure {gamma}{sup 5}{gamma}{sup {mu}}, but require the exchange of {ital six} mesons, including the {eta}, and a light scalar-isovector meson referred to as {sigma}{sub 1}. Deuteron wave functions resulting from these models are obtained. The singularities and relativistic effects which are a part of this approach are discussed, and a complete development of the theory is presented.