Perturbations in Molecules and the Theory of Predissociation and Diffuse Spectra. II

Further consideration is given to the problems which arise when the continuum of one electronic state of a diatomic molecule occurs in the same range as the discrete states of another electronic state. In the finding of electronic states and the potential curves which go with them certain approximations must be made; a better approximation can then be obtained by quantum mechanical perturbation theory. The discrete states are broadened, and this will appear, inasmuch as spectral lines involving these states are broadened. In this paper the shape of the broadened spectral lines is found, certain properties of the perturbation matrix are considered, and a wave packet is set up or rather one such as would be set up by nature is used to give all the details of a radiationless transition from a discrete state to the overlying continuum.