Abstract
We have studied the x-ray absorption spectra (XAS) at the and absorption edges of metallic -Ce, Ce, Ce and compared with those of Tm metal and intermediate valence TmSe. We analyze the x-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) taken at high signal-to-noise ratio and high resolution using synchrotron radiation at the facility PULS in Frascati with respect to (1) energy shifts of core-level transitions due to electron screening, (2) determination of the local character of the final states and mixing of the with , orbitals near the Fermi level, and (3) use of the XANES as a microscopic tool to determine the intermediate valence in mixed-valence rare-earth-metal compounds. It is concluded that while for the heavy rare earths, Z > Sm, the XANES gives direct information on the intermediate valence, in Ce the occupancy of the configuration is underestimated by about a factor 5 to 6 in favor of the configuration.
- Received 31 July 1981
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.25.2477
©1982 American Physical Society