First-Principles Calculation of the Third Virial Coefficient of Helium

Published

September 1, 2009

Author(s)

Allan H. Harvey, Giovanni Garberoglio

Abstract

Knowledge of the pair and three-body potential-energy surfaces of helium is now sufficient to allow calculation of the third density virial coefficient, C(T), with significantly smaller uncertainty than that of existing experimental data. In this work, we employ the best available pair and three-body potentials for helium and calculate C(T) with path-integral Monte Carlo (PIMC) calculations supplemented by semiclassical calculations. The values of C(T) presented extend from 24.5561 K to 10000 K. In the important metrological range of temperatures near 273.16 K, our uncertainties are smaller than the best experimental results by approximately an order of magnitude, and the reduction in uncertainty at other temperatures is at least as great. For convenience in calculation of C(T) and its derivatives, a simple correlating equation is presented.

Citation

Journal of Research (NIST JRES) -

Volume

114

Issue

5

NIST Pub Series

Journal of Research (NIST JRES)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Keywords

calibration, density, helium, metrology, thermodynamic properties, virial coefficients

Citation

Harvey, A. and Garberoglio, G. (2009), First-Principles Calculation of the Third Virial Coefficient of Helium, Journal of Research (NIST JRES), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD (Accessed October 13, 2025)