Relativistic corrections and unitary equivalence in elastic electron deuteron scattering

The role of unitary equivalence of relativistic corrections in elastic electron deutron scattering is studied, starting from a class of approximately, unitarily equivalent Hamiltonians and using consistent charge density operators. The connection of various formal approaches for deriving the relativistic corrections to wave functions and operators are discussed in detail. For reasons of simplicity, we have chosen a pure one-pion-exchange model and calculated the charge and quadrupole form factors of the deuteron. The numerical results show that the unitary equivalence holds at small momentum transfers, but breaks down rather soon with increasing momentum transfers ({}5 fm^-1).