Relativistic calculation of structure functions b1,2(x) of the deuteron

The structure functions b1,2d(x) of the deuteron are studied within the covariant approach. It is shown that the usual nonrelativistic convolution model results in an incorrect behavior of these structure functions at small x and violates the exact sum rules. Realistic calculations are carried out with the Bethe-Salpeter amplitude of the deuteron and compared with the nonrelativistic results.