Baryon Current Matrix Elements in a Relativistic Quark Model

Abstract

Current matrix elements and observables for electro- and photo-excitation of baryons from the nucleon are studied in a light-front framework. Relativistic effects are examined by comparison to a nonrelativistic model and can typically be of order 20-25%, but can be larger for certain matrix elements, such as radial transitions conventionally used to describe the Roper resonance. A systematic study shows that the violation of rotational covariance of the baryon transition matrix elements stemming from the use of one-body currents is generally small.