Analysis of triply excited states by hyperspherical channels

A new method for obtaining accurate adiabatic potential curves of a three-electron atom in hyperspherical coordinates has been developed. These potential curves are used to study singly, doubly, and triply excited states all at the same time. The group of potential curves that support triply excited states of atoms are analyzed. For the Li atom, these curves are used to analyze the triply excited states observed recently in the measurements using synchrotron radiation. For the H2- ion, all the potential curves are repulsive which clearly implies that there are no resonances of any type of this system