Neutron scattering studies of the actinides

Conference · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1979

OSTI ID:5605173

Lander, G H

The electronic structure of actinide materials presents a unique example of the interplay between localized and band electrons. Together with a variety of other techniques, especially magnetization and the Mossbauer effect, neutron studies have helped us to understand the systematics of many actinide compounds that order magnetically. A direct consequence of the localization of 5f electrons is the spin-orbit coupling and subsequent spin-lattice interaction that often leads to strongly anisotropic behavior. The unusual phase transition in UO/sub 2/, for example, arises from interactions between quadrupole moments. On the other hand, in the monopnictides and monochalcogenides, the anisotropy is more difficult to understand, but probably involves an interaction between actinide and anion wave functions. A variety of neutron experiments, including form-factor studies, critical scattering and measurements of the elementary excitations have now been performed, and the conceptual picture emerging from these studies will be discussed.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 5605173
• Report Number(s): CONF-790909-12
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640302* -- Atomic
Molecular & Chemical Physics-- Atomic & Molecular Properties & Theory
654003 -- Radiation & Shielding Physics-- Neutron Interactions with Matter
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS
74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
ACTINIDE COMPOUNDS
ACTINIDES
ANISOTROPY
BAND THEORY
CHALCOGENIDES
COHERENT SCATTERING
COUPLING
DIFFRACTION
ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE
ELEMENTS
FUNCTIONS
INTERMEDIATE COUPLING
L-S COUPLING
METALS
NEUTRON DIFFRACTION
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SCATTERING
URANIUM COMPOUNDS
URANIUM OXIDES
WAVE FUNCTIONS