Ground-State Binding Energies of Three Identical Particles Which Interact via Three Mutual Morse Potentials

Abstract

Within the framework of Faddeev theory we calculate the binding energy of the lowest bound state of three identical particles. Excluding three-body potentials, the particles are assumed to interact mutually via a two-body Morse potential. Finally, our model calculations are applied to a system formed of three helium atoms. Using a Morse potential which is fitted to the He-He interaction potential calculated by Bertoncini and Wahl, our calculation predicts a stable triatomic helium molecule with a binding energy of 0.4°K, even though a diatomic helium molecule does not exist for the same well depth.