On the Value of the Electric Quadrupole Moment of the Deuteron

The gradient of the electric field at the nucleus in the hydrogen molecule is calculated from a new electronic wave function which gives a simple but accurate formula for the electron density. The wave function is found by a generalization of the procedure first used by S. C. Wang. The calculated field gradient, together with the molecular beam measurements of Kellogg, Rabi, Ramsey and Zacharias, determines the value of the electric quadrupole moment of the deuteron. As stated by the latter authors, the quadrupole moment is 2. 73 10^-27 cm^2. The writer estimates the limits of error of this value to be 2 percent.