The Repulsive Potential of Normal Helium Atoms

Abstract

The repulsive potential between two normal helium atoms is calculated using the bond eigenfunction method. It is found that Slater's potential, V(R)=770 exp(−2.43R/a₀)×10⁻¹² ergs, must be multiplied by a factor of 2.1 in the region of the minimum of the total potential. By extrapolating to R=0, the energy of beryllium in the ground state is found to be −29.4 Rhc units.