ABSTRACT
A simple combination of quantum defect theory with a nonperturbative Fermi-type analysis is shown to reliably determine a class of moitcular Born-Oppenheimer potential curves. Applications to alkali-metal-atom–rare-gas-atom dimers verify that their potential curves are determined to semiquantitative accuracy using two pieces of information: the alkali-atom quantum defects and the electron-rare-gas scattering phase shifts.
