Rampant changes in 5f 5/2 and 5f 7/2 filling across the light and middle actinide metals
We examine the branching ratio of the N{sub 4,5} (4d {yields} 5f ) spectra of Th, U, Np, Pu, Am, and Cm metal using electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) in a transmission electron microscope (TEM), together with many-electron atomic spectral calculations and the spin-orbit sum rule. Our results show that: (1) The actinide metals Pu, Am, and Cm exhibit intermediate coupling. (2) The intermediate coupling values for the 5f states as calculated using a many-electron atomic model are correct for the actinides, this being proven by our new results for curium. (3) The EELS branching ratio is sensitive to the degree of 5f electron delocalization, which is illustrated by the transition from LS to intermediate coupling between U and Pu.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 923098
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-JRNL-229669
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review B, vol. 76, n/a, August 23, 2007, pp. 073105, Journal Name: Physical Review B, vol. 76, n/a, August 23, 2007, pp. 073105 Vol. 76
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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