High-precision calculations of dispersion coefficients, static dipole polarizabilities, and atom-wall interaction constants for alkali-metal atoms

The van der Waals coefficients for the alkali-metal atoms from Na to Fr int eracting in their ground states are calculated using relativistic ab initio methods. The accuracy of the calculations is estimated by also evaluating atomic static electric-dipole polarizabilities and coefficients for the int eraction of the atoms with a perfectly conducting wall. The results are in excellent agreement with the latest data from studies of magnetic field ind uced Feshbach resonances in ultracold collisions of Na and of Rb atoms. For Cs we provide critically needed data for ultracold collision studies. [S00 31-9007(99)09020-1].