Accurate a b i n i t i o calculations which demonstrate a 3Πu ground state for Al2

Abstract
The spectroscopic parameters and separations between the three low‐lying X 3Πu, A 3Σg, and a 1Σ+g states of Al2 are studied as a function of both the one‐particle and n‐particle basis sets. Approximate correlation treatments are calibrated against full CI calculations correlating the six valence electrons in a double‐zeta plus two d‐function basis set. Since the CASSCF/MRCI 3Πu3Σg separation is in excellent agreement with the FCI value, the MRCI calculations were carried out in an extended (20s13p6d4f)/[6s5p3d2f] Gaussian basis. Including a small correction for relativistic effects, our best estimate is that the 3Σg state lies 174 cm1 above the 3Πu ground state. The 1Σ+g state lies at least 2000 cm1 higher in energy. At the CPF level, inclusion of 2s and 2p correlation has little effect on De, reduces Te by only 26 cm1, and shortens the bond lengths by about 0.02 a0. Further strong support for a 3Πu ground state comes from the experimental absorption spectra, since both observed transitions can be convincingly assigned as 3Πu3Πg. The (2)3Πg state is observed to be sensitive to the level of correlation treatment, and to have its minimum shifted to shorter r values, such that the strongest experimental absorption peak probably corresponds to the 0→2 transition.

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