Semi-empirical calculation of second Kerr-effect virial coefficients of atoms and small molecules

We present semi-empirical calculations of the second Kerr-effect virial coefficients BK(T) of the noble gases Ar, Kr, and Xe, the alkanes CnH2n+2 (n⩽5), CF4, and SF6. The calculations are performed by using the recently developed model of a temperature-dependent Lennard–Jones potential U(R,T). The incremental pair-polarizability anisotropy Δα12(R) is approximated according to existing theories. Very good agreement between calculated and experimental data is found for the higher alkanes. In the case of the noble gases a significant discrepancy between calculations and experiments still remains.