Effect of a finite conduction-band width on XMCD spectra at the L2,3 absorption edges of mixed-valence Ce and Yb compounds in high magnetic fields

Effect of a finite conduction-band width is studied in detail on the spectra of X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and its X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) at the L_2,3 absorption edges of mixed valence Ce and Yb compounds in high magnetic fields. Calculations are made with an extended single impurity Anderson model and within the leading term approximation in the 1/N_f expansion method, where N_f is the degeneracy of the 4f states. It is shown that a model with a vanishing conduction-band width is applicable, as an approximation method, to the calculation of XAS and XMCD spectra for realistic systems with a finite conduction-band width, if the values of the 4f level and the hybridization strength are renormalized appropriately. This justifies the previous calculations on general features of high-magnetic-field XAS and XMCD spectra with zero conduction-band width. At the same time, it is also shown that for more realistic calculations of high-magnetic-field XMCD spectra of some specific mixed-valence Ce and Yb compounds, the present theory with a finite conduction-band width is more appropriate.     

X-ray magnetic circular dichroism at rare-earth L23 absorption edges in various compounds and alloys

Theoretical interpretations of X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) at rare-earth (called R hereafter) L₂₃ absorption edges are reviewed using differing models, depending on the material under investigation. In the first chapter, we present an overview of recent developments for XMCD in XAS with a few general remarks, especially at R atom absorption edges. In Section 2, we first describe basic mechanism of XMCD at L₂₃ edges of R systems, and then we essentially discuss two examples of XMCD spectra in: (i) R₂Fe₁₄B metallic compounds, with the help of a cluster model, and (ii) RFe₂ Laves-phase compounds, using a tight-binding approximation for R 5d and Fe 3d conducting states. A good agreement between theory and experiment for R₂Fe₁₄B suggests that a cluster model provides a valuable method to quantitatively calculate XMCD spectra of R systems, even with quite complicated atomic arrangements. For RFe₂ systems the XMCD spectral shape, especially for the L₂ edge of heavy R elements, is more complicated than those of R₂Fe₁₄B systems, and this is explained by the competition of some different XMCD mechanisms. In Section 3, we focus on special series of Ce systems, related to XAS and XMCD studies at the Ce L₂₃ edges. Two clearly differing cases are interpreted: (i) A well localized 4f¹ system, i.e. CeRu₂Ge₂; (ii) A less localized 4f¹ system, i.e. CeFe₂, with a 3d partner. Then, from a more experimental point of view, we investigate the influence of substitution on the low temperature properties of CePd₃ compounds, i.e. Ce(_Pd1-xMnx)3$\mathrm{Ce}({\mathrm{Pd}}_{1-x}{\mathrm{Mn}}_x{)}_3$ alloys where x   is about 0.03, giving rise to (_CePd3)8Mn$({\mathrm{CePd}}_3{)}_8\mathrm{Mn}$ ordered structure. We give another example: Ce(_Pd1-xNix)3$\mathrm{Ce}({\mathrm{Pd}}_{1-x}{\mathrm{Ni}}_x{)}_3$ alloys with x taken up to about 0.25. Also the Ce L₂₃ XMCD signal measured in pure CePd₃ demonstrates that in the Ce based dense Kondo materials, only the 4f¹ channel yields a magnetic response.     

Crystal field effect on X-ray magnetic circular dichroism spectra at the L<Subscript>2,3</Subscript> absorption edges of mixed-valence Ce and Yb compounds in high magnetic fields

A theoretical study is presented, with an extended single impurity Anderson model, for the crystal field effect on the X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) spectra at L_2,3 edges of mixed-valence Ce and Yb compounds in high magnetic fields. The crystal field acting on the 4f electrons is assumed to have cubic symmetry. Due to the competition among the effects of crystal field, mixed valency, and external magnetic field, the magnetic-field-dependence of XMCD spectra exhibits a variety of features; for instance, the branching ratio, R(L₂/L₃), of L₂ and L₃ XMCD intensities of Ce compounds can take R(L₂/L₃) > 1.0 and <1.0, and that of Yb compounds can take R(L₂/L₃) > 0 and <0. It is shown that the magnetic-field-dependence of the total XMCD intensity I(L₂ + L₃) is proportional to the magnetization curve, but that of R(L₂/L₃) gives more precise information on the ground state wavefunction in magnetic fields. A new and useful method to correlate the XMCD spectra, the 4f magnetization and the ground state wavefunction is proposed and used to discuss the relation between I(L₂ + L₃) and the magnetization curve and that between R(L₂/L₃) and the ground state wavefunction.     

Thermomodulation of the aluminum L2,3 absorption edge

Thermomodulation spectra were obtained near the Al L_2,3 edge in Al films, using synchrotron radiation. These spectra, temperature derivatives of the absorption coefficient, completely resolve the two spin-orbit components. A fit to the shape of one component shows that broadening of the Fermi function is the dominant mechanism for the temperature dependence one-electron or many-body absorption process, is needed near the region of the “spike”.     

X-ray L1, L2 and L3 absorption limits of 4D transition metals

The wavelengths and energies of the L₁, L₂ and L₃ absorption limits in Zr, Nb, Ru, Rh, Pd and Ag metals have been measured and some of the previous reported values have been found to be incorrect. By comparing the energies of the absorption limits with those of the Lγ₁Ly, and Lβ_2,15, lines and also with the binding energies obtained by XPS, the electronic transitions corresponding to the respective absorption limits have been clarified. It is concluded that (i) the end level of the electronic transition corresponding to the L₁ absorption limit of Zr-Ag is the 5p-like level, and (ii) the end level corresponding to either of the L₂ and L₃, absorption limits of Zr-Pd is the 4d level, while that of Ag is, rather unexpectedly, the top of the 5s level.     

Magnetic resonance experiments in NiBr2 at high frequencies and high magnetic fields

By performing magnetic resonance experiments in NiBr₂ at high frequencies and magnetic fields, we have observed a resonance line which we relate to a helimagnetic phase, and an antiferromagnetic resonance line corresponding to an antiferromagnetic phase with strong out-of-plane anisotropy and small in-plane anisotropy.     

Specific heat of EuIn2P2 at high magnetic fields

We have carried out specific heat measurements on EuIn₂P₂ at high magnetic fields perpendicular to the c-axis in the hexagonal crystal structure in order to understand its thermal properties. The temperature dependence of the specific heat exhibits a clear λ-type anomaly due to a magnetic transition at , indicating that the magnetic transition is of second-order. The λ-type anomaly becomes markedly broader with increasing the magnetic field. This remarkable field-dependence is consistent with the results of previous magnetization measurements which suggest that Eu²⁺ magnetic moments align ferromagnetically perpendicular to the c-axis below T_C. In addition, a hump in the specific heat is observed around 7 K, which can be ascribed to the Zeeman splitting of the Eu²⁺ multiplet by internal magnetic fields.     

The local electronic structure of PdO crystal and PdO catalyst supported on SiO2 and γ-Al2O3 from L3 and L1 x-ray absorption Pd edge in XANES spectra

We have studied the local electronic structure of PdO catalysts supported on characteristic inert and quasi-inert substrate from experiment on X-ray absorption near edge structure XANES using Synchrotron radiation. From the joint analysis of L₃ absorption edge and XPS core data in Pd and PdO we find that the white line in PdO XANES is an excitonic state with 0.8 eV binding energy. From the joint analysis of L₃ and L₁ edges the p-like and the d-like local unoccupied electronic states have been determined. The local structure of PdO catalysts is different from that of PdO crystal. Evidence for structural disorder in PdO catalysts and PdO-substrate interaction is reported.     

Sound velocity of CeAl2 in high magnetic fields

We report low temperature measurements of the C₄₄ sound velocity of CeAl₂ in magnetic fields up to 7 T. Between 5 K and 30 K the field softens C₄₄, below 5 K a more complicated behaviour is observed.     

The lineshape of the L2,3 VV Auger spectrum of silicon

An attempt is presented to understand the details of the lineshape of the Si L_2,3 VV Auger spectrum from the (111) surface in the 7 × 7 superstructure. In the experiments we have followed the variation of the lineshape induced by adsorption of O₂, H₂O, CO and by bombardment with 3 keV Ar⁺ ions, over a range from a small perturbation of the surface to major changes in surface structure. For small perturbations from the clean surface we were able to resolve changes in the local density of states at surface silicon atoms. By unfolding the experimental spectra, effective transition densities of states result, which compare quite closely with calculated densities of states, apart from a certain enhancement of surface features in the experiments. All peaks in the experimental spectra can be explained, based on densities of states at the surface of pure Si(111) (7 × 7) (91.8 and 84.8 eV), Si(111) + adsorbed oxygen (70.6 eV), SiO₂, (78.9 and 64.5 eV) and plasmon losses, at 71.0 and 57.5 eV for the clean surface.     

X-ray absorption spectroscopic study of a mixed valence system,EuPd2Si2

L₃ X-ray absorption spectroscopic study of Eu firmly establishes that the compound, EuPd₂Si₂, is a mixed valence system. It is found that the relative intensities of the absorption peaks corresponding to divalent and trivalent europium ions in EuPd₂Si₂ are a strong function of temperature.     

Many-body effect in the coincidence L3 and M3 photoelectron spectroscopy spectra of Cu metal

The coincidence L₃ and M₃ photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) main lines of Cu metal are calculated by a many-body theory. There is no peak-energy shift between the singles PES main line and the coincidence one. The asymmetric narrowing of the coincidence PES main line on the low kinetic energy (KE) side is very small. This is in accord with recent experimental findings. In Cu metal, the shakeup satellite intensity is small and the main-line satellite separation energy is much larger than the core–hole lifetime width. The interference via the final-state interaction is negligible. In the PES main line, the imaginary part of the self-energy by shakeup excitations, which is very small compared to the core–hole lifetime width, decreases very slowly in linear with photoelectron KE. The branching ratio of Auger decay of a single hole state then increases very slowly in linear with photoelectron KE so that the deviation of the coincidence PES main line from the singles one is very small. The 939 eV structure seen only in the coincidence L₃ PES spectrum of Cu metal is attributed to the enhancement of the inelastic peak of a smaller energy loss due to electrons of a smaller average emission depth measured in coincidence with the elastic Auger peak. The structure will not be enhanced in the singles PES spectrum. The background subtraction in the coincidence spectrum cannot be the same as that in the singles one. Such consideration is necessary before we can conclude about the asymmetric narrowing on the low KE side. A unique capability of APECS by which one can determine the photoelectron KE dependent part of the imaginary part of the self-energy is pointed out.     

Photoluminescence in the mixed valence compound Eu3S4

We have investigated the 5d-4f interband and the intra-4f photoluminescence of Eu₃S₄. An anomalous shift of the interband luminescence can be explained by temperature dependent valence fluctuations. The ferromagnetic ordering of Eu₃S₄ is also verified.     

Variation of enhancement effect of Coster-Kronig transition of L3 X-Rays of Ba, La and Ce compounds

The Coster-Kronig (CK) enhancement effect was measured for L₃ subshell X-rays using the experimental Lα X-ray production cross-section, the fraction of Lα X-rays, L₃ subshell fluorescence yields and L₃ subshell photoionisation cross-section. The samples were excited by gamma-rays with 59.5 keV energy from a 75 mCi radioisotope source and L X-rays emitted from samples were counted by a Si(Li) detector with resolution 155 eV at 5.96 keV. Variation of enhancement effect of CK transition of L₃ X-rays of La and Ce compounds was measured to be more than that of Ba. Ba has a partially filled 6s orbital whereas La and Ce have partially filled 5d and 4f orbitals, respectively.     

Thermodynamic properties of the CeSn3 mixed valence compound

We have measured on the CeSn₃ compound, the expansion coefficient between 80 and 800 K at normal pressure, the isothermal compressibility in the 0–8 GPa pressure range at room temperature and the heat capacity at constant pressure in the 60–300 K temperature range. The experimental data were compared with those previously found for the isomorphous LaSn₃ phase, assumed as a proper reference material for the study of the intermediate valency states in CeSn₃. Both the thermal expansion (3α) and the isothermal compressibility (k) of CeSn₃ show behaviours quite different from those of LaSn₃: for instance, in the standard conditions, 3α is 55 × 10^?6K^?1for CeSn₃ and 38 × 10^?6K^?1for LaSn₃; k is 15 × 10^?12 Pa^?1 and 12 × 10^?12 Pa^?1 respectively for CeSn₃ and LaSn₃. The thermal behaviour of the molar specific heat at constant pressure of CeSn₃ is similar to that of LaSn₃ for temperatures lower than 50 K. In the 70–300 K temperature range, the heat capacity of CeSn₃ is clearly higher than that of LaSn₃, ΔC_p being maximum near 150 K. The analysis of the calorimetric data show that the electronic coefficient γ of CeSn₃ is temperature dependent: its value varies from 53 mJ K^?2 mole^?1 at low temperature 24 mJ K^?2 mole^?1 at 300 K.     

Theoretical analysis of X-ray magnetic circular dichroism at the Yb L<Subscript>2, 3</Subscript> absorption edges of YbInCu<Subscript>4</Subscript> in high magnetic fields around the field-induced valence transition

The complex network theory is a way to investigate the complex systems with minimum information about their entities and corresponding interactions. There is a growing interest to studying the earthquake phenomena by the method of networks. Several network features characterize the complexity of seismic events. Unfortunately they depend on how we construct the network. Here we study the role of cell size or in other word the resolution on the network properties for the Iran’s seismic data. We have found that all the network topological features vary as a power of the resolution. Furthermore by increasing the resolution, the networks become random and uncorrelated.     

Magnetostriction and magnetic anisotropy of (Sm,Ce)Fe2 compounds

The structural, magnetic and magnetostrictive properties of Sm_1−xCe_xFe₂ (0≤x≤1) Laves compounds have been investigated. The magnetostriction coefficient λ₁₁₁ and the anisotropy of the Sm_1−xCe_xFe₂ compounds decrease with increasing Ce content. The decreasing of anisotropy results in an enhancement of the anisotropic magnetostriction at low magnetic fields for the compounds with a small amount of Ce substituted for Sm.     

Electronic structure of BaTiO3 using resonant X-ray emission spectroscopy at the Ba-L3 and Ti-K absorption edges

We have studied the electronic properties of the ferroelectric barium titanate BaTiO₃ using two complementary bulk-sensitive spectroscopic probes, resonant X-ray emission spectroscopy (RXES) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy in the partial fluorescence mode (PFY-XAS) at the Ba-L₃ and Ti-K absorption edges. Contrary to a previous study, we found no fine structure in the pre-edge area of the PFY-XAS spectrum at the Ba-L₃ edge, and no temperature-induced spectral change was observed between room temperature and 150 °C. This result is not supportive of the possible presence of the displacement around Ba²⁺ at the Curie temperature. RXES spectra were measured at the Ti-K edge for BaTiO₃, along with SrTiO₃ and La-doped metallic SrTiO₃. The photon energy of the emission peak is found to be nearly constant throughout the absorption edge for all three compounds. We deduce the Ti 3d states to have a delocalized character, in contrast with the Ba 5d states, a property which is consistent with the proposed scenario of the formation of electric dipoles in BaTiO₃.     

He II spectra of La,Ce and Yb: Novel features in the valence band region

He II photoelectron spectra of La, Ce and Yb show features which cannot be explained in terms of single electron excitations. It is proposed that these are due to formation of electron-hole paris. Communication No. 227.