Theoretical study of spin–orbit and Coriolis coupling among the low-lying states of Rb2 and Cs2

Abstract

The spin–orbit (SO) and angular (Coriolis) coupling matrix elements of rubidium and cesium dimers have been calculated between the states converging to the lowest three dissociation limits. The relevant quasi-relativistic matrix elements were evaluated for a wide range of internuclear distances and density grid in the basis of the spin-averaged wave functions corresponding to pure Hund’s coupling case (a). Both shape and energy consistent small (9-electrons) effective core pseudopotentials were used to monitor a sensitivity of the matrix elements to the particular basis set. The dynamic correlation has been taken accounted by a large scale multi-reference configuration interaction method which was applied for only two valence electrons. The l-independent core-polarization potentials were employed to take into account the residual core-valence effect. The assessment of current accuracy of the present ab initio functions is discussed by a comparison with preceding calculations and their empirical counterparts.