MULLIKEN Meaning and
Definition
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Mulliken is a term that can have different meanings depending on the context in which it is used. In the field of quantum chemistry, the term "mulliken" refers to a method or approach developed by Robert S. Mulliken, an American physicist and chemist who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1966. The Mulliken method is commonly used to calculate molecular orbital energies and electron populations within molecules. This method provides a theoretical framework for understanding chemical bonding and reactivity by assigning different electronic states to atoms in a molecule.
In a broader context, "mulliken" may also refer to the Mulliken population analysis, which is a dedicated computational technique used in quantum chemistry to partition the electron density of a molecule into atomic contributions. This analysis can provide insights into the charge distribution and electron transfer processes within a molecule.
Outside of the field of chemistry, "mulliken" does not have a widely recognized dictionary definition. It is primarily used as a proper noun to refer to the surname of Robert S. Mulliken, and there is no general dictionary entry for this term as a standalone word.
