NN scattering in higher-derivative formulation of baryon chiral perturbation theory

We consider a new approach to the nucleon-nucleon scattering problem in the framework of the higher-derivative formulation of baryon chiral perturbation theory. Starting with a Lorentz-invariant form of the effective Lagrangian we work out a new symmetry-preserving framework where the leading-order amplitude is calculated by solving renormalizable equations and corrections are taken into account perturbatively. Analogously to the KSW approach, the (leading) renormalization scale dependence to any finite order is absorbed in the redefinition of a finite number of parameters of the effective potential at given order. On the other hand, analogously to Weinberg's power counting, the one-pion-exchange potential is of leading order and is treated non-perturbatively. (author)