EXTRACTION OF INFORMATION FROM THE PERIODIC SYSTEM OF THE ELEMENTS ASAN INVERSE PROBLEM

The inverse problem of recovering an effective atomic potential that i s universal for all elements of the periodic system is examined using a refined WKB method. The order of filling the shells is shown to be g iven by a linear combination of the principal and orbital quantum numb ers with a coefficient that depends only on the asymptotic behavior of the potential. A, relationship between the atomic numbers of the elem ents which open the shells and a certain functional (the strength) of the potential is found. Narrow ranges for the asymptotic index and str ength of the potential are determined by comparison with data from the actual periodic system. The self consistency of this approach is demo nstrated by good agreement between the calculated and actual atomic nu mbers of the elements. (C) 1997 American Institute of Physics.