Ab initio spin-orbit calculations on the lowest states of the nickel dimer.

Potential energy curves of the lowest electronic states of the Ni(2) dimer are calculated near the equilibrium using the multireference ab initio methods including the spin-orbit interaction. Scalar-relativistic results fully confirm previous qualitative interpretations based on the correlation with atomic limits and the symmetry of vacancies in the atomic 3d(9) shells. Spin-orbit calculations firmly establish the symmetry of the ground state as 0(+)(g) and give the excitation energies 70 ± 30 cm(-1) and 200 ± 80 cm(-1) for the lowest 0(-)(u) and 5(u) states, respectively. The model electronic spectrum of the Ni(2) shows some trends that might be observed in matrix isolation far-infrared and electron spin resonance spectra.