The Hindered Rotation in Various Fields of Cubic Symmetry

Abstract

Abstract The hindered rotation in cubic fields of various shapes and intensities is studied. The “Devonshire Model” is extended to include cubic fields being linear combinations of spherical harmonics of order four and six. In contrast to Devonshire's potential, this two parameter manifold of potentials contains some with the energy minima at the 〈110〉 directions. Agreement is found between the low‐lying rotator levels in a large hindering potential and these of harmonic oscillators localized in the minimum wells of the potential.