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

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.