The S-wave component of the deuteron wavefunction

Unitarily transformed deuteron wavefunctions of the kind recently used in a model-dependent derivation of the deuteron radius and in consideration of the deuteron parameter Dsub(2) relevant to sub-Coulomb stripping reactions are used to calculate the total cross section for photodisintegration σsub(ph), the thermal n-p radiative capture cross section and the deuteron electron form factor. These wavefunctions, which have an S-wave node as suggested by a recent quark model, give a reduction in σsub(ph) by up to about 6% compared with that from the untransformed wavefunctions. Current data do not allow discrimination between the two. (author)