Relativistic Meson Spectroscopy in Momentum Space Typeset Using Revt E X 1

In this paper a relativistic quantum theory introduced by de Groot and Ruijgrok in 1975, is used as a quark model in momentum space. The complete spectrum, with the exception of the selfconjugate light unflavoured mesons, is calculated. The potential used consists of an one-gluon-exchange (OGE) part and a confining part. For the confining part a relativistic generalization of the linear plus constant potential was used, which is well-defined in momentum space without introducing any singularities. For the OGE part several potentials were investigated. Retardations were included at all places. Using a fitting procedure involving 52 well-established mesons, best results were obtained for a potential consisting of a purely vector Richardson potential and a purely scalar confining potential. In this way a vector confining is entirely induced by the Richardson potential. Reasonable results were also obtained for a modified Richardson potential. Most meson masses, with the exception of the π, the K and the K * 0 , were found to be reasonably well described by the model.