scaling factor

A variational parameter used as a multiplier of each nuclear Cartesian and electronic coordinate chosen to minimize the variational integral and to make a trial variation function to satisfy the virial theorem. In practical calculations, the numeral factor to scale computed values, e.g. vibrational frequencies, to those found in experiments.
Source:
PAC, 1999, 71, 1919 (Glossary of terms used in theoretical organic chemistry) on page 1961