The NaI A0(+) state potential curve: some criteria and their implications

Information about the NaI A0(+) potential curve is assessed, leading to a s tatement of the best current information on that potential. By critically e xamining the literature on that potential, by modelling our photoabsorption measurements, and by using our and other ab initio calculations we obtain criteria that the potential must meet. Although the criteria do not specify the potential, they are sufficient to show that several published suggesti ons for the potential must be rejected and that one is acceptable. The crit eria do strongly restrict the potential and we use them to obtain a not ver y complicated reasonable analytic form that satisfies all the criteria. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.