Paul S Hsu

Universal reduced potential function for diatomic systems.

The potential energy functions of 200 diatomic systems, with dissociation energies De ranging from few eV to hundreds of mueV, are well described by a new three-parameter potential energy function. Identification of the evaluated values of a dimensionless quantity, xin=L2/Ln [Ln=(n!De/fn)1/n, a scaled length parameter, and fn, the nth force constant evaluated at the equilibrium internuclear distance Re], is proposed as a reliable criterion to search for the universal scaling features of potentials and spectroscopic constants for bound diatomic systems. Our study suggests a useful approach to predicting future molecular spectroscopic constants.