Interaction potentials,spectroscopy and transport properties of RG+–He (RG=Ar–Rn)

High-level ab initio potential energy curves are calculated for the RG⁺–He complexes (RG=Ar–Rn). RCCSD(T) calculations are employed with large basis sets, and taking account of spin–orbit coupling. The calculated spectroscopic parameters are compared with experimentally determined values, with other high-level ab initio results, and with results from potentials that were obtained by fitting to experimental data. The gas-phase mobilities of RG⁺ ions in He are calculated from our potentials and compared, graphically and statistically, with the experimental mobilities as a function of E/n ₀ at several temperatures. We conclude that more precise experimental data are required in order to discriminate between potentials with more certainty. In addition, we discuss previously reported, unexpectedly large drops in experimental mobility values for RG⁺ in He at 4.35 K as E/n ₀ → 0.