Exchange and Coulomb contributions to the CEF parameters in light rare earth cubic compounds

Abstract

The analysis of the CEF (crystalline electric field) parameters of some RX3 cubic compounds (R=Ce, Pr, Nd and X=Sn, Pb, In) shows that the exchange contribution arising from the d-like and f-like conduction electrons to the fourth-order CEF parameter A40(r4) is positive as well as the f-like exchange contribution to A60(r6). The Coulomb terms are found to be negative. The CEF parameters of PrPd3 and NdPd3 are also discussed.