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Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 236402 (2007) [4 pages]

Emergence of Strong Exchange Interaction in the Actinide Series: The Driving Force for Magnetic Stabilization of Curium

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K. T. Moore1,*,†, G. van der Laan2, R. G. Haire3, M. A. Wall1, A. J. Schwartz1, and P. Söderlind1
1Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
2Magnetic Spectroscopy Group, Daresbury Laboratory, Warrington WA4 4AD, United Kingdom
3Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Mississippi-6375, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, USA

Received 9 February 2007; published 5 June 2007

Using electron energy-loss spectroscopy, many-electron atomic spectral calculations, and density functional theory, we show that angular-momentum coupling in the 5f states plays a decisive role in the formation of the magnetic moment in Cm metal. The 5f states of Cm in intermediate coupling are strongly shifted towards the LS coupling limit due to exchange interaction, unlike most actinide elements where the effective spin-orbit interaction prevails. Hund’s rule coupling is the key to producing the large spin polarization that dictates the newly found crystal structure of Cm under pressure.

© 2007 The American Physical Society

URL:
http://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevLett.98.236402
DOI:
10.1103/PhysRevLett.98.236402
PACS:
71.70.Gm, 71.10.−w, 71.70.Ej, 79.20.Uv

*Corresponding author

†Tel: 925-422-9741;

Fax: 925-422-6892;

moore78@llnl.gov

 
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