hohm_1990

U. Hohm and K. Kerl, “Interferometric measurements of the dipole polarizability alpha of molecules between 300 K and 1100 K. I. Monochromatic measurements at lambda = 632.99 nm for the noble gases and H2, N2, O2, and CH4”, Mol. Phys. 69, 803 (1990)

Source record · Catalogue · Review register

DOI: 10.1080/00268979000100611

Source kind: measurement

Recorded technique: Evacuated high-temperature Michelson twin interferometer (a gas-measuring and an evacuated reference interferometer), quartz-glass sample cell of effective length about 1 m, He-Ne laser at 632.99 nm. Absolute method: the cell is filled to below 1.5e5 Pa, thermostated 0.5-3 min, evacuated isothermally in 5-10 min while the fringe shift N* is counted; n - 1 = N* lambda/l(T) (Eq. 17). Pressure to 10 Pa, temperature to 0.1 K; 300-1100 K. Gas purity better than 99.95 % (pp. 808-809).

Materials in structured entries: Ar, CH4, H2, He, Kr, N2, Ne, O2, Xe

Dataset quantities: polarizability

Contents: 20 datasets; 4 formulas.

Curation notes

Page numbers are the journal’s (803-817); pdf page 1 is the publisher’s cover, so p. = pdf page + 801.

Reduction (pp. 807-808, Eqs. 13-16): (n^2 - 1)/(n^2 + 2) = (4 pi N_A/3) alpha(omega, T, 0) rho_0 (1 - B(T) rho_0), rho_0 = p/RT, second virial coefficients B(T) from Kerl (1986); the refractivity virial b_R is neglected. The values are the free-molecule polarizability volumes alpha = alpha_SI/(4 pi eps0) in 10^-30 m^3 (angstrom^3). The wavelength is 632.99 nm, a vacuum wavelength.

Uncertainty (p. 809): |Delta rho_0/rho_0| = 3e-4, |Delta(n - 1)/(n - 1)| = 4e-4, ‘the polarizability may be determined with a precision of |Delta alpha/alpha| < 10^-3 in the whole temperature range’. Table 1 (p. 811): ‘As usual, standard deviations are given in parentheses. The relative statistical error ... ranges from 0.03 per cent (argon) to 0.11 per cent (neon)’ (p. 810).

Noble gases (pp. 809-810): no temperature dependence between 300 and 1100 K beyond fluctuations of +-0.2 %; Table 1 gives the mean over all temperatures (helium below 700 K only: above it helium permeates the quartz cell). These results contradict the authors’ earlier 1 %-per-100 K increase (Hohm and Kerl 1986, Kerl and Hausler 1984). The authors find their Kr and Xe values ‘somewhat higher than the values given by Burns et al.’, closer to Koch’s (p. 810).

MOLECULES: the temperature-dependent polarizabilities of H2, N2, O2 and CH4 are shown only in Figs. 2-5 (3-6 measurements per temperature, pp. 810-814); what the paper prints are the empirical fits of alpha(T), ‘without any physical meaning’ (p. 810), recorded as formulas (Eqs. 18-20): H2 +1.4 %, N2 +0.2 %, O2 +0.7 %, CH4 +1.2 % per 1000 K. The Eq. (11) theory curves and Table 2’s spectroscopic inputs (Huber and Herzberg; the alpha’ and alpha’’ derivatives from other authors) are not extracted. Text values not extracted as data (p. 811): H2 extrapolated to 0 K, 8.190(18)e-31 m^3 (the constant of Eq. 18), against Bishop and Cheung’s ab initio 8.186e-31 m^3 at 632.8 nm (bishop_1980).

Table 1’s literature rows are reproduced datasets: Burns et al. (burns_1986: 3 A_R/(4 pi N_A), 0.20622 from A_R = 0.5202 cm^3/mol), Kerl (Z. phys. Chem. 129, 129 (1982), a dispersion formula; its helium 0.2106 is 2 % above every other helium value and looks like a transposition of 0.2061, not checkable here), Koide, Meath and Allnatt (J. Phys. Chem. 86, 1222 (1982), ab initio), Buckingham and Graham (Proc. R. Soc. A 336, 275 (1974)), Koch (1949, a dispersion formula), Kumar and Meath (kumar_1985, DOSD) and Bridge and Buckingham (J. Chem. Phys. 40, 2733 (1964)). The paper says ‘the other data ... are determined at lambda = 632.8 nm, if not stated otherwise’ (p. 810); all are stored at the caption’s 632.99 nm.

Reproductions elsewhere: egan_2019/hohm_kerl_1990_Ne (A_R = 1.001(0.001) cm^3/mol, this paper’s neon).

Recorded bibliographic identity status: VALIDATED_WITH_WARNINGS. This concerns identification of the source; it does not establish the scientific correctness of its contents.

Datasets

hohm_1990/this_work_He

{
  "id": "this_work_He",
  "material": "He",
  "file": "He/hohm_1990__this_work_He.csv",
  "table": "tbl_f8502d3f8f19",
  "quantity": "polarizability",
  "unit": "angstrom3",
  "abscissa_unit": "nm",
  "wavelength_medium": "vacuum",
  "use": "primary",
  "uncertainty": {
    "column": true,
    "level": "1 sigma"
  }
}

Table 1 (p. 811), this work, mean of 300-700 K (the quartz cell leaks helium above); standard deviation in the sigma column.

hohm_1990/burns_1986_He

{
  "id": "burns_1986_He",
  "material": "He",
  "file": "He/hohm_1990__burns_1986_He.csv",
  "table": "tbl_f8502d3f8f19",
  "quantity": "polarizability",
  "unit": "angstrom3",
  "abscissa_unit": "nm",
  "wavelength_medium": "vacuum",
  "use": "reproduced",
  "reproduced_from": [
    "burns_1986"
  ],
  "uncertainty": {
    "column": true,
    "level": "1 sigma"
  }
}

Table 1: Burns et al., converted from their A_R.

hohm_1990/kerl_1982_He

{
  "id": "kerl_1982_He",
  "material": "He",
  "file": "He/hohm_1990__kerl_1982_He.csv",
  "table": "tbl_f8502d3f8f19",
  "quantity": "polarizability",
  "unit": "angstrom3",
  "abscissa_unit": "nm",
  "wavelength_medium": "vacuum",
  "use": "reproduced",
  "reproduced_from": [
    "K. Kerl, Z. Phys. Chem. Frankf. Ausg. 129, 129 (1982)"
  ]
}

Table 1: Kerl, from a dispersion formula; 0.2106 is 2 % above this work, Burns and Koide (0.2061-0.2062) and looks like a transposed 0.2061 (not checkable: the original is not in the library).

hohm_1990/koide_1982_He

{
  "id": "koide_1982_He",
  "material": "He",
  "file": "He/hohm_1990__koide_1982_He.csv",
  "table": "tbl_f8502d3f8f19",
  "quantity": "polarizability",
  "unit": "angstrom3",
  "abscissa_unit": "nm",
  "wavelength_medium": "vacuum",
  "use": "reproduced",
  "reproduced_from": [
    "A. Koide, W. J. Meath and A. R. Allnatt, J. Phys. Chem. 86, 1222 (1982)"
  ]
}

Table 1: Koide et al., ab initio.

hohm_1990/this_work_Ne

{
  "id": "this_work_Ne",
  "material": "Ne",
  "file": "Ne/hohm_1990__this_work_Ne.csv",
  "table": "tbl_f8502d3f8f19",
  "quantity": "polarizability",
  "unit": "angstrom3",
  "abscissa_unit": "nm",
  "wavelength_medium": "vacuum",
  "use": "primary",
  "uncertainty": {
    "column": true,
    "level": "1 sigma"
  }
}

Table 1 (p. 811), this work, mean of 300-1100 K; standard deviation in the sigma column.

hohm_1990/burns_1986_Ne

{
  "id": "burns_1986_Ne",
  "material": "Ne",
  "file": "Ne/hohm_1990__burns_1986_Ne.csv",
  "table": "tbl_f8502d3f8f19",
  "quantity": "polarizability",
  "unit": "angstrom3",
  "abscissa_unit": "nm",
  "wavelength_medium": "vacuum",
  "use": "reproduced",
  "reproduced_from": [
    "burns_1986"
  ],
  "uncertainty": {
    "column": true,
    "level": "1 sigma"
  }
}

Table 1: Burns et al., converted from their A_R.

hohm_1990/kerl_1982_Ne

{
  "id": "kerl_1982_Ne",
  "material": "Ne",
  "file": "Ne/hohm_1990__kerl_1982_Ne.csv",
  "table": "tbl_f8502d3f8f19",
  "quantity": "polarizability",
  "unit": "angstrom3",
  "abscissa_unit": "nm",
  "wavelength_medium": "vacuum",
  "use": "reproduced",
  "reproduced_from": [
    "K. Kerl, Z. Phys. Chem. Frankf. Ausg. 129, 129 (1982)"
  ]
}

Table 1: Kerl, from a dispersion formula.

hohm_1990/buckingham_graham_1974_Ne

{
  "id": "buckingham_graham_1974_Ne",
  "material": "Ne",
  "file": "Ne/hohm_1990__buckingham_graham_1974_Ne.csv",
  "table": "tbl_f8502d3f8f19",
  "quantity": "polarizability",
  "unit": "angstrom3",
  "abscissa_unit": "nm",
  "wavelength_medium": "vacuum",
  "use": "reproduced",
  "reproduced_from": [
    "A. D. Buckingham and C. Graham, Proc. R. Soc. A 336, 275 (1974)"
  ]
}

Table 1: Buckingham and Graham.

hohm_1990/this_work_Ar

{
  "id": "this_work_Ar",
  "material": "Ar",
  "file": "Ar/hohm_1990__this_work_Ar.csv",
  "table": "tbl_f8502d3f8f19",
  "quantity": "polarizability",
  "unit": "angstrom3",
  "abscissa_unit": "nm",
  "wavelength_medium": "vacuum",
  "use": "primary",
  "uncertainty": {
    "column": true,
    "level": "1 sigma"
  }
}

Table 1 (p. 811), this work, mean of 300-1100 K; standard deviation in the sigma column.

hohm_1990/burns_1986_Ar

{
  "id": "burns_1986_Ar",
  "material": "Ar",
  "file": "Ar/hohm_1990__burns_1986_Ar.csv",
  "table": "tbl_f8502d3f8f19",
  "quantity": "polarizability",
  "unit": "angstrom3",
  "abscissa_unit": "nm",
  "wavelength_medium": "vacuum",
  "use": "reproduced",
  "reproduced_from": [
    "burns_1986"
  ],
  "uncertainty": {
    "column": true,
    "level": "1 sigma"
  }
}

Table 1: Burns et al., converted from their A_R.

hohm_1990/kerl_1982_Ar

{
  "id": "kerl_1982_Ar",
  "material": "Ar",
  "file": "Ar/hohm_1990__kerl_1982_Ar.csv",
  "table": "tbl_f8502d3f8f19",
  "quantity": "polarizability",
  "unit": "angstrom3",
  "abscissa_unit": "nm",
  "wavelength_medium": "vacuum",
  "use": "reproduced",
  "reproduced_from": [
    "K. Kerl, Z. Phys. Chem. Frankf. Ausg. 129, 129 (1982)"
  ]
}

Table 1: Kerl, from a dispersion formula.

hohm_1990/buckingham_graham_1974_Ar

{
  "id": "buckingham_graham_1974_Ar",
  "material": "Ar",
  "file": "Ar/hohm_1990__buckingham_graham_1974_Ar.csv",
  "table": "tbl_f8502d3f8f19",
  "quantity": "polarizability",
  "unit": "angstrom3",
  "abscissa_unit": "nm",
  "wavelength_medium": "vacuum",
  "use": "reproduced",
  "reproduced_from": [
    "A. D. Buckingham and C. Graham, Proc. R. Soc. A 336, 275 (1974)"
  ]
}

Table 1: Buckingham and Graham.

hohm_1990/this_work_Kr

{
  "id": "this_work_Kr",
  "material": "Kr",
  "file": "Kr/hohm_1990__this_work_Kr.csv",
  "table": "tbl_f8502d3f8f19",
  "quantity": "polarizability",
  "unit": "angstrom3",
  "abscissa_unit": "nm",
  "wavelength_medium": "vacuum",
  "use": "primary",
  "uncertainty": {
    "column": true,
    "level": "1 sigma"
  }
}

Table 1 (p. 811), this work, mean of 300-1100 K; standard deviation in the sigma column.

hohm_1990/burns_1986_Kr

{
  "id": "burns_1986_Kr",
  "material": "Kr",
  "file": "Kr/hohm_1990__burns_1986_Kr.csv",
  "table": "tbl_f8502d3f8f19",
  "quantity": "polarizability",
  "unit": "angstrom3",
  "abscissa_unit": "nm",
  "wavelength_medium": "vacuum",
  "use": "reproduced",
  "reproduced_from": [
    "burns_1986"
  ],
  "uncertainty": {
    "column": true,
    "level": "1 sigma"
  }
}

Table 1: Burns et al., converted from their A_R.

hohm_1990/koch_1949_Kr

{
  "id": "koch_1949_Kr",
  "material": "Kr",
  "file": "Kr/hohm_1990__koch_1949_Kr.csv",
  "table": "tbl_f8502d3f8f19",
  "quantity": "polarizability",
  "unit": "angstrom3",
  "abscissa_unit": "nm",
  "wavelength_medium": "vacuum",
  "use": "reproduced",
  "reproduced_from": [
    "J. Koch, Kgl. Fysiograf. Sallskap. Lund Forh. 19, 173 (1949)"
  ]
}

Table 1: Koch, from a dispersion formula.

hohm_1990/kumar_1985_Kr

{
  "id": "kumar_1985_Kr",
  "material": "Kr",
  "file": "Kr/hohm_1990__kumar_1985_Kr.csv",
  "table": "tbl_f8502d3f8f19",
  "quantity": "polarizability",
  "unit": "angstrom3",
  "abscissa_unit": "nm",
  "wavelength_medium": "vacuum",
  "use": "reproduced",
  "reproduced_from": [
    "kumar_1985"
  ]
}

Table 1: Kumar and Meath, from a DOSD.

hohm_1990/this_work_Xe

{
  "id": "this_work_Xe",
  "material": "Xe",
  "file": "Xe/hohm_1990__this_work_Xe.csv",
  "table": "tbl_f8502d3f8f19",
  "quantity": "polarizability",
  "unit": "angstrom3",
  "abscissa_unit": "nm",
  "wavelength_medium": "vacuum",
  "use": "primary",
  "uncertainty": {
    "column": true,
    "level": "1 sigma"
  }
}

Table 1 (p. 811), this work, mean of 300-1100 K; standard deviation in the sigma column.

hohm_1990/burns_1986_Xe

{
  "id": "burns_1986_Xe",
  "material": "Xe",
  "file": "Xe/hohm_1990__burns_1986_Xe.csv",
  "table": "tbl_f8502d3f8f19",
  "quantity": "polarizability",
  "unit": "angstrom3",
  "abscissa_unit": "nm",
  "wavelength_medium": "vacuum",
  "use": "reproduced",
  "reproduced_from": [
    "burns_1986"
  ],
  "uncertainty": {
    "column": true,
    "level": "1 sigma"
  }
}

Table 1: Burns et al., converted from their A_R.

hohm_1990/koch_1949_Xe

{
  "id": "koch_1949_Xe",
  "material": "Xe",
  "file": "Xe/hohm_1990__koch_1949_Xe.csv",
  "table": "tbl_f8502d3f8f19",
  "quantity": "polarizability",
  "unit": "angstrom3",
  "abscissa_unit": "nm",
  "wavelength_medium": "vacuum",
  "use": "reproduced",
  "reproduced_from": [
    "J. Koch, Kgl. Fysiograf. Sallskap. Lund Forh. 19, 173 (1949)"
  ]
}

Table 1: Koch, from a dispersion formula.

hohm_1990/bridge_1964_Xe

{
  "id": "bridge_1964_Xe",
  "material": "Xe",
  "file": "Xe/hohm_1990__bridge_1964_Xe.csv",
  "table": "tbl_f8502d3f8f19",
  "quantity": "polarizability",
  "unit": "angstrom3",
  "abscissa_unit": "nm",
  "wavelength_medium": "vacuum",
  "use": "reproduced",
  "reproduced_from": [
    "N. J. Bridge and A. D. Buckingham, J. Chem. Phys. 40, 2733 (1964)"
  ]
}

Table 1: Bridge and Buckingham.

Formulas

hohm_1990/alpha_T_H2

{
  "id": "alpha_T_H2",
  "material": "H2",
  "equation": "Eq. (18), p. 811",
  "printed": "10^31 alpha(T)/m^3 = 8.190(18) + 1.5(1.0) x 10^-4 (T/K) - 2.4(1.7) x 10^-7 (T/K)^2 + 2.05(88) x 10^-10 (T/K)^3",
  "variable": "T: temperature in K; alpha: polarizability volume at 632.99 nm (vacuum)",
  "range": "300-1100 K (the measurements, Fig. 2)",
  "coefficients": {
    "c0": "8.190",
    "c1": "1.5e-4",
    "c2": "-2.4e-7",
    "c3": "2.05e-10",
    "unit": "1e-31 m^3"
  },
  "check": "Gives +1.4 % from 0 to 1000 K (8.305 at 1000 K), as the text states ('of the order of 1.4 per cent per 1000 K'). Checked 2026-09-25."
}

The authors’ least-squares polynomial of the part-I data (squares in Fig. 2); the standard uncertainties of the coefficients in parentheses. Its constant, 8.190(18)e-31 m^3, is an extrapolation to 0 K.

hohm_1990/alpha_T_N2

{
  "id": "alpha_T_N2",
  "material": "N2",
  "equation": "Eq. (19), p. 813",
  "printed": "10^30 alpha(T)/m^3 = 1.7636(14) + 3.1(1.9) x 10^-6 (T/K)",
  "variable": "T: temperature in K; alpha: polarizability volume at 632.99 nm (vacuum)",
  "range": "300-1100 K (the measurements, Fig. 3)",
  "coefficients": {
    "c0": "1.7636",
    "c1": "3.1e-6",
    "unit": "1e-30 m^3"
  },
  "check": "Gives +0.18 % per 1000 K; the text says 0.2 per cent. Checked 2026-09-25."
}

Linear fit of data with an unexplained ‘great scattering’ (p. 813), N2 purity better than 99.999 %.

hohm_1990/alpha_T_O2

{
  "id": "alpha_T_O2",
  "material": "O2",
  "equation": "Eq. (20), p. 813",
  "printed": "alpha(T) = a [exp(bT) - bT - cT^2]; a = alpha(omega, 0 K) = 1.5959 x 10^-30 m^3, b = 3.264 x 10^-4 K^-1, c = 5.301 x 10^-8 K^-2",
  "variable": "T: temperature in K; alpha: polarizability volume at 632.99 nm (vacuum), m^3",
  "range": "300-1100 K (the measurements, Fig. 4)",
  "coefficients": {
    "a": "1.5959e-30",
    "b": "3.264e-4",
    "c": "5.301e-8"
  },
  "check": "Gives +0.66 % from 0 to 1000 K; the text says 0.7 per cent per 1000 K. Checked 2026-09-25."
}

Chosen to rise monotonically with zero slope at 0 K; above about 700 K the data rise faster than the Eq. (11) theory (p. 814).

hohm_1990/alpha_T_CH4

{
  "id": "alpha_T_CH4",
  "material": "CH4",
  "equation": "Eq. (20), p. 814",
  "printed": "alpha(T) = a [exp(bT) - bT - cT^2]; a = alpha(omega, 0 K) = 2.6049 x 10^-30 m^3, b = 2.723 x 10^-4 K^-1, c = 2.903 x 10^-8 K^-2",
  "variable": "T: temperature in K; alpha: polarizability volume at 632.99 nm (vacuum), m^3",
  "range": "300-1100 K (the measurements, Fig. 5)",
  "coefficients": {
    "a": "2.6049e-30",
    "b": "2.723e-4",
    "c": "2.903e-8"
  },
  "check": "Gives +1.17 % from 0 to 1000 K; the text says 'about 1.2 per cent per 1000 K'. Checked 2026-09-25."
}

Corrections

No dataset errata are recorded in this source record.

Formula corrections, where recorded, appear with their formulas above. Curation notes may also discuss corrections or unresolved interpretation. Consult the review register for the checks and decisions.