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Polarizability of interacting atoms: relation to collision-induced light scattering and dielectric models

Journal Article · · Phys. Rev., A, v. 8, no. 2, pp. 690-696
The polarizability tensor of a pair of interacting He atoms has been calculated as a function of internuclear separation r using the fully self- consistent Hartree-Fcck theory. It was found that the trace of the polarizability tensor, alpha (r), to which the second dielectric virial coeficient B/sub e/ is directly proportional, decreases with decreasing r, givin g a theoretical value of B/sub e/=-0.093 a.u. at room temperature, compared with the experimental result B/sub e/=-0.06 plus or minus -0.04 a.u.. measured by Orcutt and Cole (J Chem. Phys. 46, 697 (1967)!. This is the first calculation that predicts the correct sign of B/sub e/. We conclude that for He the effects of overlap are of opposite sign from and of sufficient magnitude to overcome the contributions of the van der Waals interaction to alpha (r). Furthermore, the anisotropy of the pair polarizability BETA (r) can be represented by a simple form: BETA (r) =6 alpha /sup 2/r/sup 3/- lambda e/sup -r/r/sub o /, where r/ sub o/0.74 a.u, and the collision-induced light-scattering spectrum predicted by this form has an essentially exponential line shape. These results are in qualitative agreement with recent work on collision-induced light-scattering spectra from rare gases. (auth)
Research Organization:
Arthur Amos Noyes Laboratory of Chemical Physics, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91109
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
NSA Number:
NSA-29-006090
OSTI ID:
4383210
Journal Information:
Phys. Rev., A, v. 8, no. 2, pp. 690-696, Journal Name: Phys. Rev., A, v. 8, no. 2, pp. 690-696; ISSN PLRAA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English