This paper concerns the theory of direct $A(d,p)B$ reactions and how practical three-body models of them are related to the optical model potentials describing the interaction of the deuterons constituents and the target $A$. A new definition of the nucleon optical potential is introduced which necessitates a careful examination of the boundary conditions involved in the associated coupled-channel formalism. The new definition turns out to be very convenient for making a connection with the theory of the $A(d,p)B$ reaction. The analysis is carried out within an antisymmetrized, translationally invariant formalism and provides a firm basis from a many-body point of view for the three-body force effects calculated in [Phys. Rev. C 99, 064612 (2019)].

• Received 16 June 2021
• Accepted 2 August 2021

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.104.024612