Molecule matters van der Waals molecules: 2. Noble gas clusters are London molecules!

Abstract

In Part 2 of this series, we discuss homo- and hetero-nuclear noble gas dimers. Experimental and theoretical results for dimers containing He, Ne, Ar, Kr and Xe are reviewed. These dimers are bound by London dispersive forces, which is one component of the van der Waals or intermolecular forces. Though these are usually called van der Waals complexes or van der Waals molecules, these dimers may be more appropriately called London molecules. Helium dimer is a particularly interesting case with the equilibrium internuclear distance estimated to be about 50 Angstrom.