R.S. Mulliken

The starting points for many conventions in spectroscopy are the paper by R. S. Mulliken in the Journal of Chemical Physics (23, 1997, 1955) and the books of G. Herzberg. Apart from straightforward recommendations of symbols for physical quantities, which are generally adhered to, there are rather more contentious recommendations. These include the labelling of cartesian axes in discussions of molecular symmetry and the numbering of vibrations in a polyatomic molecule, which are often, but not always, used. In such cases it is important that any author make it clear what convention is being used. 

M. Faraday noted that oxygen was paramagnetic, correctly ascribed to the triplet ground state by R. S. Mulliken (in 1928). 

R. S. Mulliken (Chicago) fundamental work concerning chemical bonds and the electronic structure of molecules by the molecular orbital method. 

Formulas and Numerical Tables for Overlap Integrals R. S. Mulliken, C. A. Rieke, D. Orloff and H. Orloff The Journal of Chemical Physics 17 (1949) 1248-1267... 

R. S. Mulliken. Nobel Lectures, Chemistry 1863-1970. Eslevier Amsterdam, 1972. 

R.S. Mulliken and W.C. Ermler, Polyatomic Molecules. Results of ab initio calculations. Academic Press, New York, 1981. 

The writer wishes to express his thanks to Prof. T. Lyman, who obtained the spectrum plates used in this investigation, and to Prof. E. C. Kemble and Dr. R. S. Mulliken, whose criticism and suggestions have been of great value. 

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