On the coupled-channel calculation of bound states for trimeric systems using hyperspherical coordinates

Abstract

We discuss the bound states of weakly bound van der Waals trimers within the framework of hyperspherical coordinates. The wave function is expanded in terms of hyperspherical harmonics, which form a complete basis set in the angular variables. The resulting set of coupled second-order differential equations in the hyperradius is solved exactly. Our method gives a value for the zero-point energy of H+3 which is in excellent agreement with previous calculations. For (H2)3 and Ne3, however, our results show some discrepancy with earlier work.