The quantum N-body problem and the auxiliary field method

Approximate analytical energy formulas for N-body relativistic Hamiltonians with one- and two-body interactions are obtained within the framework of the auxiliary field method. This method has already been proved to be a powerful technique in the case of two-body problems. A general procedure is given and applied to various Hamiltonians of interest, in atomic and hadronic physics in particular. A test of formulas is performed for baryons described as a three-quark system.