Three-Body Contributions to the Triton Binding Energy

A variational calculation shows that the central part of the Lévy potential is not sufficient to bind the triton. One finds a bound $S$-state wave function only if the coupling constant is increased appreciably. Using wave functions determined in this way, the author has computed the binding energy contributed by five three-body terms, derived from the $ps-ps$ theory. Results of this calculation indicate that the so-called "leading" three-body term is not the dominant term, even if damping is taken into account. The total contribution of the potentials considered here is attractive, not repulsive.