The magneto-optical Kerr spectra of the ternary uranium compound UAsSe are investigated using first-principles energy-band theory. Within a bandlike description of the $5f$ electrons, good agreement with the measured optical spectra is obtained. This is further evidence for at least partially itinerant $5f$ electrons in UAsSe, in spite of it frequently being characterized as a localized $5f$ electron system. It is suggested that the $5f$ electrons are delocalized in planes perpendicular to the $c$ axis and that the magneto-optical Kerr spectra are extremely anisotropic.

• Received 10 October 1995

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.53.R10437