4f ground state properties of cerium in AuCu3 intermetallic compounds studied by x-ray absorption spectroscopy

L_III absorption edges of cerium in ternary AuCu₃ compounds Ce(Pd_1?xM_x)₃ (M = Ag and Rh) and (Ce_1?xY_x)Pd₃ are presented. We find that Ce in these compounds is mixed valent with n_f ? 0.7. The valence V of Ce(Pd_1?xRh_x)₃ becomes concentration independent of V = 3.29 ± 0.02 for x ? 0.18. In Ce_1?xY_xPd₃ we observe the valence to increase up to V = 3.32 ± 0.02 at the highest concentration of Y. We show, that a critical volume, available for the Ce atom, is associated with the concentration independent valence around 3.3. For both systems, linewidths W₁, W₀ and Δ = E(4f¹) ? E(4f⁰), as derived from L_III double-bump structure, are given. Possible falsifications due to “final states effects” on the valence are discussed.