Application of the reduced-potential curve method for the detection of errors or inaccuracies in the analysis of spectra and for the construction of internuclear potentials of diatomic molecules: Alkali diatomic molecules

Errors in the Rydberg-Klein-Rees potentials for the ground and B-excited states of LiNa and LiK and in the ground-state potential of RbCs are detected using the reduced-potential curve (RPC) method and shown to be due to errors or inaccuracies in the analysis of the spectrum. Using the rules of the RPC scheme, estimates for the left limbs of the ground- and B-state potentials of LiNa and LiK are given which are quite accurate for the ground states. With the use of the RPC method, we also give estimates of the ground-state potentials of Rb₂ and RbCs up to the dissociation limit. The RPC method is further employed for a calculation of accurate internuclear potentials from inaccurate theoretical ab initio potential curves for a series of molecules. These procedures could be useful for a prediction of the spectrum. The examples should illustrate the predictive and constructive power of the RPC method.