Born-Oppenheimer approximation


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Born-Oppenheimer approximation

[¦bȯrn ′äp·ən‚hī·mər ə‚präk·sə‚mā·shən]
(physical chemistry)
The approximation, used in the Born-Oppenheimer method, that the electronic wave functions and energy levels at any instant depend only on the positions of the nuclei at that instant and not on the motions of the nuclei. Also known as adiabatic approximation.
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References in periodicals archive ?
this would be consistent with, though not evidence for, validity of the Born-Oppenheimer approximation and the FC principle for direct ionization.
The different response of the different vibrational levels within the same progression suggests breakdown of the Born-Oppenheimer approximation and/or the FC principle.
Vibrational branching rations and asymmetry parameters in the photoionization of [CO.sup.2] in the region between 650 a 840 A

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