Bound states and scattering from bound states in the light-front field theory dynamics

Starting from the Weinberg rules we derive a covariant form of the relativistic Schroedinger equation and formulate the bound state problem in the light-front field theory dynamics. We present an explicit rule for embodying the two-body subsystem in the three-body space and demonstrate that the cluster decomposition property is explicitly preserved in the light front field theory dynamics. As an application of these results we write amplitudes for πd → nN*, πd → πpn, and πd → πd, in the impulse approximation, in terms of the internal bound state wave functions and two-body reduced t-matrix elements. (orig.)