Threshold Electrodisintegration of the Deuteron

We study threshold electrodisintegration of the deuteron caused by scattering of electrons at angles near 180°. The cross section for this reaction is calculated, using nonrelativistic deuteron wave functions. The deuteron $D$ state is included in the calculation, as well as all of the relevant meson exchange currents. Disagreement of the calculated results with recent electron scattering experiments indicates that a basic difficulty exists in our present understanding of the deuteron wave function and the core radius of the nucleon. A crude Fourier transform is then performed on the experimental transition form factor to yield the configuration-space overlap charge density. The resultant overlap charge density indicates that a softer nucleon core is needed than is presently popular.