  We study the N-N interaction in the framework of the chromo-dielectric
soliton model. Here, the long-range parts of the nonabelian gluon
self-interactions are assumed to give rise to a color-dielectric function which
is parameterized in terms of an effective scalar background field. The
six-quark system is confined in a deformed mean field through an effective
non-linear interaction between the quarks and the scalar field. The CDM is
covariant, respects chiral invariance, leads to absolute color confinement and
is free of the spurious long range Van der Waals forces which trouble
non-relativistic investigations employing a confining potential. Six-quark
molecular-type configurations are generated as a function of deformation and
their energies are evaluated in a coupled channel analysis. By using molecular
states instead of cluster model wave functions, all important six-quark
configurations are properly taken into account. The corresponding Hamiltonian
includes the effective interaction between the quarks and the scalar background
field and quark-quark interactions generated through one gluon exchange treated
in Coulomb gauge. When evaluating the gluonic propagators, the inhomogeneity
and deformation of the dielectric medium are taken into account. Results for
the adiabatic nucleon-nucleon potential are presented, and the various
contributions are discussed. Finally, an outlook is given on how, in the next
stage of our investigation, the dynamical effects will be incorporated by
employing the generator coordinate method.

Nuclear Theory