Visualization of correlations in intrashell triply excited states of atoms

Abstract
The interna1 wavefunctions of the eight lowest intrashell triply states of Li atom are analyzed in the body-frame of the atom. By visualizing the equidensity surfaces we found that four of the eight states the most probable shape of the three electrons is a coplanar equilateral triangle with the nucleus at the center. The relative energies of these four states resembles the rotational spectra of an oblate symmetric top. The other four states can be further separated in two groups : one where the plane of the three electrons cannot coincide with the nucleus, the other that coplanar is allowed but equilateral triangle geometry is forbidden. The latter two groups have nodal surfaces which are the result of the quantum symmetry and they have higher excitation energies.