Y-scaling analysis of the deuteron within the light-front dynamics method

The concept of relativistic scaling is applied to describe the most recent data from inclusive electron-deuteron scattering at large momentum transfer. We calculate the asymptotic scaling function f(y) of the deuteron using its relationship with the nucleon momentum distribution. The latter is obtained in the framework of the relativistic light-front dynamics (LFD) method, in which the deuteron is described by six invariant functions fi (i = 1,...,6) instead of two (S and D waves) in the nonrelativistic case. Comparison of the LFD asymptotic scaling function with other calculations using S and D waves corresponding to various nucleon-nucleon potentials, as well as with the Bethe-Salpeter result is made. It is shown that for |y| > 400 MeV/c the differences between the LFD and the nonrelativistic scaling functions become larger. (author)