The thermal diffusion factor and interatomic potential for xenon

The isotopic thermal diffusion factor of xenon was measured from 187 to 850 K in a 20-tube trennschaukel. The results are consistently about 40% lower than the data of Paul, Howard, and Watson. A comprehensive comparison of proposed interatomic potentials for xenon was made with the experimental data obtained. The ’’extended’’ corresponding states reduced thermal diffusion factors were calculated and compared to a composite of the present data and reduced thermal diffusion factors for Ne, Ar, and Kr obtained in previous work. The composite data were found to be consistent with second virial coefficients and other transport properties for the noble gases. A method is given for improving the order of approximation of the reduced thermal diffusion factors obtained from the ’’extended’’ corresponding states theory.