Abstract
The detailed crystal structure of a mixed-valent skutterudite SmOs 4 Sb 12 has been investigated by synchrotron radiation powder diffraction. Although the lattice parameter monotonically decreases with decreasing temperature, Sm–Sb bond length decreases rapidly below 150 K. The temperature dependence of the bond length coincides with that of the change in the valence of the Sm ion. These facts suggest that the hybridization between 4 f - and conduction electrons is enhanced at low temperatures. In addition, an isotropic thermal atomic displacement parameter of the Sm ion is much larger than those of the Os and Sb ions. This fact indicates the presence of an anharmonic vibration of Sm ions.
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