Potential Curves of Diatomic Rare-Gas Molecules and Their Ions, with Particular Reference to Xe2

Abstract

The excited and ionized states of the heavier rare‐gas molecules are discussed, existing evidence on the dissociation energies of the ions are reviewed, and estimates of these dissociation energies are made. Estimated potential curves for the Xe₂⁺ ion and for the lower excited states of the Xe₂ molecule are given. Applications to the interpretation of the observed spectra of the heavier rare gases, especially Xe₂, are discussed.