INTERMOLECULAR POTENTIALS AND WIDTH OF PRESSURE-BROADENED SPECTRAL LINES .I. THEORETICAL FORMULATION

A systematic approach utilizing the Anderson theory for the calculation of the width of pressure-broadened lines is developed for the most complete long-range intermolecular potential available. Particularalftcntion is given to the problem of including in a consistent manner the various contributions of the different physical components of the potential. In addition to the usual results, terms arising from nonadditive contributions to the differential collision cross section, omitted in the past, are obtained and discussed. New terms are also found which result from using a more complete potential than has been considered heretofore.