surface crossing

https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.S06166
In a diagram of electronic energy versus molecular geometry, the electronic energies of two states of different symmetry may be equal at certain geometrical parameters. At this point (unidimensional representation), line or surface (more than one dimension), the two potential-energy surfaces are said to cross one another.
See: avoided crossing (of potential-energy surfaces)
Source:
PAC, 1996, 68, 2223. 'Glossary of terms used in photochemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1996)' on page 2279 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199668122223)