Relativistic effect on the trinucleon system

We calculate the contribution of relativistic dynamics on the neutron-deuteron scattering length and triton binding energy employing five sets trinucleon potential models and four types of three-dimensional relativistic three-body equations. The relativistic correction to binding energy may vary a lot and even change sign depending on the relativistic formulation employed. The deviations of these observables from those obtained in nonrelativistic models follow the general universal trend of deviations introduced by off- and on-shell variations of two- and three-nucleons potentials in a nonrelativistic model calculation. Consequently, it will be difficult to separate unambiguously the effect of off- and on-shell variations of two- and three-nucleon potentials on low-energy three-nucleon observables from the effect of relativistic dynamics. copyright 1995 American Institute of Physics