Repulsive Interactions and Molecular Rotation in Inert-Gas Lattices

Abstract

A model is discussed from which the effect of repulsive interactions on the rotational energy levels of a solute molecule in an inert-gas lattice may be calculated. The model is based on the assumption that repulsive interactions may be understood in terms of single interatomic-exchange processes in the solid. Application is made to the case of HCl in argon, krypton, and xenon. The results show that, for this case, repulsive interactions are small compared to long-range multipole interactions.