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Title: Sm M/sub 4,5/ emission spectra of Sm metal and SmB/sub 6/ with fluorescence-excitation and near-threshold electron-excitation methods

Journal Article · · Phys. Rev. B: Condens. Matter; (United States)

The Sm M/sub 4,5/ fluorescent emission and characteristic isochromat spectra of Sm metal and SmB/sub 6/ were measured to obtain information on the valence mixing of SmB/sub 6/. It was found that the fluorescent spectra do not exhibit resonant emission, which had been observed in the electron-excited spectra measured with relatively low electron-beam energy. The fluorescent spectrum of SmB/sub 6/ is quite similar to that of Sm metal and the fluorescent and characteristic isochromat spectra of SmB/sub 6/ show no distinct indication of the spectrum corresponding to the Sm/sup 2+/ ion. The characteristic isochromat spectra at the photon energy of the resonant peak of these materials show that an electron-beam energy beyond 1085 eV is required for the generation of the resonant emission (3d/sub 5/2//sup -1/4f/sup n+1/..-->..3d/sup 10/4f /sup n/), where n is equal to 5 for the Sm/sup 3+/ ion. This is ascribed to the formation of the transient state 3d/sup 9/4f/sup n+2/, which is caused by both the electron excited from the 3d level and the incident electron losing the initial energy. The possibility of a valence change from divalent to trivalent is discussed as the reason no distinct indication of the spectrum corresponding to the Sm/sup 2+/ ion in SmB/sub 6/ is observed.

Research Organization:
College of Engineering, University of Osaka Prefecture, Mozu, Sakai, Osaka 591, Japan
OSTI ID:
6735643
Journal Information:
Phys. Rev. B: Condens. Matter; (United States), Vol. 34:12
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English