Theoretical study of the absorption spectra of the lithium dimer

For the lithium dimer we calculate cross sections for absorption of radiation from:the vibrational-rotational levels of the ground X (1)Sigma(g)(+) electronic state to the vibrational levels and continua of the excited A (1)Sigma(u)(+) and B (1)Pi(u) electronic states. Theoretical and experimental data are used to characterize the molecular properties taking advantage of knowledge recently obtained from photoassociation spectroscopy and ultra-cold atom collision studies. The quantum-mechanical calculations are carried out for temperatures in the range from 1000 to 2000 K and are compared with previous calculations and measurements where available. [S1050-2947(99)01109-9].