Electron-deuteron scattering in a current-conserving description of relativistic bound states: including meson-exchange-current contributions

Abstract

Using a three-dimensional formalism that includes relativistic kinematics, the effects of negative-energy states, approximate boosts of the two-body system, and current conservation we calculate the electromagnetic form factors of the deuteron up to $Q^2=6$ GeV$^2$. This is done both in impulse approximation and with a $\rho \pi \gamma$ meson-exchange current included. The experimentally-measured quantities $A$, $B$, and $T_{20}$ are calculated over the kinematic range probed in recent Jefferson Laboratory experiments. The meson-exchange current provides significant strength in $A$ at large $Q^2$, but has little impact on $B$ or $T_{20}$.