ON THE SPIN-ORBIT INDUCED RADIATIONLESS DECAY OF THE B(3)SIGMA(-) STATE OF BH

The spin-orbit induced radiationless decay process b(3) Sigma(-) --> 1 (3) Sigma(+) in BH is studied. The spin-orbit coupling was determined within the Breit-Pauli approximation using MCSCF/CI wavefunctions. The radiationless decay lifetimes of the (b(3) Sigma(-), v, N, F-i) fine structure levels were determined in a Hund's case (b) approximation. T he (b(3) Sigma(-), v = 0-2, N = 80-15) levels are not significantly pr edissociated. However, a spin-orbit induced b(3) Sigma(-) similar to 1 (3) Sigma(+) perturbation of only 0.2 cm(-1) results in appreciable pr edissociation of the v' = 3 (v' = 2) level in BH for low N (high N).