Low-momentum effective theory for nucleons

Starting from a precise two-nucleon potential, we use the method of unitary transformations to construct an effective potential that involves only momenta less than a given maximal value. We describe this method for an S-wave potential of the Malfliet-Tjon type. It is demonstrated that the bound and scattering state spectrum calculated within the effective theory agrees exactly with the one based on the original potential. This might open an avenue for the construction of effective chiral few-nucleon forces and for a systematic treatment of relativistic effects in few-body systems. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.