Potential energy curves for the Rydberg states of LiHe and the spectrum of Li atoms interacting with He gas

Potential curves for the Rydberg states of the LiHe diatomic have been calculated in the ab initio SCF and CEPA approximations (including electron correlation effects) up to the 5s state. The authors present results for potential wells and barriers, quantum defect functions, dissociation energies, vibration levels and oscillator strength functions. The last are used to predict the broadening of some emission and absorption lines of Li atoms under He gas pressure and well as a number of satellite structures in the Li absorption spectrum between 670 and 260 nm.