High-precision calculations of dispersion coefficients, static dipole polarizabilities, and atom-wall interaction constants for alkali-metal atoms

The van der Waals coefficients for the alkali-metal atoms from Na to Fr interacting in their ground states are calculated using relativistic ab initio methods. The accuracy of the calculations is estimated by also evaluating atomic static electric-dipole polarizabilities and coefficients for the interaction of the atoms with a perfectly conducting wall. The results are in excellent agreement with the latest data from studies of magnetic field induced Feshbach resonances in ultracold collisions of Na and of Rb atoms. For Cs we provide critically needed data for ultracold collision studies. [S0031-9007(99)09020-1].