Hydrogen molecular ion in the magnetic field of a neutron star

The paper discusses the structure and energies of rotational-vibrational levels of a molecular ion H₂⁺ in a strong magnetic field typical of neutron stars,B=10¹²–10¹³ G. The study is based on the calculations of the potential energy surface of this molecular ion presented in the paper by Khersonskii (1984a). The energies of the rovibrational levels are calculated with the aid of the perturbation theory. The number of levels in a H₂⁺ potential hole is determined at different magnetic intensities. In particular, it is ascertained that the number of levels decreases as the strength of the magnetic field increases. The effect of nuclear spins on the structure of the rotational levels is considered.