A simple damping function for the three-atom dispersion energy

PL Simple procedure is used to construct the damping functions for extendin g the Axilrod-Teller-Muto triple dipole dispersion energy for arbitrary thr ee-atom systems to smaller distances. The new damping functions incorporate the Tang-Toennies two-body damping functions at the appropriate united ato m limits. The accuracy of the damping function is illustrated by comparing with ab initio and third-order perturbation calculations of the H-3 three-b ody polarization energy. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved .