Theory of the Triton Wave Function

The exact bound state of the three-nucleon system with separable interactions between pairs is studied. The method for extracting the bound-state wave function from the equations for the scattering amplitude is outlined. The wave function is used to study the proton- and neutron-body form factors of the triton. $S$-wave spin-dependent forces between nucleon pairs are used and a parameter represents the effects of tensor forces. Although this theory gives good answers for the binding energy of the triton and for low-energy neutron-deuteron scattering, rms triton radii are slightly small and the form factors too large at large momentum transfers. This difficulty is due to the neglect of a short-range repulsion. The experimental splitting of the proton and neutron form factors due to spin dependence of the forces is present. The percent of mixed-symmetry $S$ state is calculated.