The classical and quantum second virial coefficient of low-density ¹³²Xe vapor in the temperature-range 0.1 mK–30 000 K

The second virial coefficient B for ¹³²xenon (¹³²Xe) vapor is evaluated over the broad temperature-range 0.1 mK–30 000 K. The classical expression for B, B _cl, is used, as well as the first quantum correction B _qc, and the quantum second virial coefficient, B _q. The borderline interfacing the classical and quantum regimes is explored. It turns out that B is a powerful indicator of the demarcation boundary between the classical and quantum regimes. Equally important is that a very large negative B _q is symptomatic of conditions favoring clustering. Small ¹³²Xe clusters are predicted at low temperatures ~10⁻² K. Our results are compared to previous results whenever possible. The agreement is very good. (paper)