An R.K.R.-like estimate of the effective non-adiabatic internuclear potential for the hydrogen molecule

Abstract

An effective internuclear potential for the hydrogen molecule is deduced from the experimental energy levels; this potential is valid in the sense that it reproduces the rotation–vibration energy levels to an accuracy of the order of ±0.1 cm−1, and is unique in the sense that it is equally accurate for all observed values of the rotational quantum number J.The implied corrections to the adiabatic relativistic internuclear potential are consistent with the estimated values for the non-adiabatic coupling correction over the whole range of internuclear separation.