Relativistic calculation of ground-state baryon masses

The masses of the ground-state baryons are calculated in a relativistic quark model by using the saddle-point variational method to solve the three-body Breit equation. The saddle-point variational method maximizes the energy with respect to small component parameters, while minimizing with respect to size parameters. This removes the problems usually caused by negative-energy states, without the need for positive-energy projection operators. The variational method, applied to an asymmetric trial wave function with naturally broken SU(3) and SU(6) symmetry, permits solution of the Breit equation for realistic QCD-inspired potentials without using perturbation theory. The calculated masses are in good agreement with experiment, and the asymmetric wave function gives reasonable values for the proton and neutron charge radii. ((orig.))