We deal with the Hamiltonian hierarchy problem of the Hulthen potential wit
hin the frame of the supersymmetric quantum mechanics and find that the ass
ociated supersymmetric partner potentials simulate the effect of the centri
fugal barrier. Incorporating the supersymmetric solutions and using the fir
st-order perturbation theory we obtain an expression for the energy levels
of the Hulthen potential which gives satisfactory values for the non-zero a
ngular momentum states. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.