Atomic interactions in neon and helium

Abstract

The first two quantum corrections to the second virial coefficients of the Smith-Thakkar potential are calculated. Parameters for neon and helium, gases in which quantum effects are important, are then determined by fitting to semiempirical dispersion coefficients and experimental second virial coefficients. Viscosity coefficients for both gases and vibrational energy level spacings for the neon dimer are calculated as independent tests of the potentials. Overall agreement with experiment is excellent for neon and moderate for helium. The previously determined parameters for argon are found to be only very slightly perturbed by the inclusion of quantum corrections in the calculated second virial coefficients.