Magnetic properties of actinide Laves phases

Conference · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1976

OSTI ID:7128674

Aldred, A T; Dunlap, B D; Lander, G H

This paper reviews recent high-field (up to 80 kOe) magnetization, nuclear-gamma-ray resonance, and neutron diffraction measurements on a number of actinide ferromagnets with the C-15 Laves phase crystal structure. NpAl/sub 2/ and NpOs/sub 2/ are an interesting contrast; NpAl/sub 2/ behaves as a localized 5f system whereas NpOs/sub 2/ exhibits properties usually associated with itinerant ferromagnets. The second part of the paper reports similar measurements on the series AnFe/sub 2/, where An = U, Np, Pu, and Am. The properties of these compounds suggest an increasing localization of 5f electrons as one proceeds from uranium to americium. The Pu ion in PuFe/sub 2/ is definitely trivalent 5f/sup 5/, but the observation of a small negative moment on the Am site in AmFe/sub 2/ implies a partial occupancy of the Am/sup 2 +/ 5f/sup 7/ state in this compound. This is the first indication of a mixed valence configuration in an actinide system.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 7128674
• Report Number(s): CONF-760956-3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360104* -- Metals & Alloys-- Physical Properties
ACTINIDE ALLOYS
ALLOYS
ALUMINIUM ALLOYS
AMERICIUM ALLOYS
COHERENT SCATTERING
DIFFRACTION
IRON ALLOYS
LAVES PHASES
MAGNETIC MOMENTS
MAGNETIC PROPERTIES
MAGNETIZATION
MOESSBAUER EFFECT
NEPTUNIUM ALLOYS
NEUTRON DIFFRACTION
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLUTONIUM ALLOYS
SCATTERING
URANIUM ALLOYS