A relativistic equation to represent the symmetric quark model of hadrons with harmonic interaction is used to define and calculate matrix elements of vector and axial-vector currents. Elements between states with large mass differences are too big compared to experiment, so a factor whose functional form involves one arbitrary constant is introduced to compensate this. The vector elements are compared with experiments on photoelectric meson production, $K_{l3\mathrm{}}$ decay, and $\omega \to \pi \gamma$. Pseudoscalar-meson decay widths of hadrons are calculated supposing the amplitude is proportional (with one new scale constant) to the divergence of the axial-vector current matrix elements. Starting only from these two constants, the slope of the Regge trajectories, and the masses of the particles, 75 matrix elements are calculated, of which more than $\frac{3}{4}$ agree with the experimental values within 40%. The problems of extending this calculational scheme to a viable physical theory are discussed.

• Received 17 December 1970

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.3.2706