Theory of XMCD spectra at the L2,3 absorption edges of mixed valence Ce and Yb compounds in high magnetic fields

Abstract

XAS and XMCD spectra at the L2,3 absoption edges of mixed valence Ce and Yb compounds are calculated in high magnetic fields ranging from 10 to 1000 T and at zero temperature by using a new theoretical framework proposed very recently by the present author. The XMCD spectra exhibit a peak only for the 4f1 (for Ce) and 4f13 (for Yb) final states. Available experimental data for CePd3 at 7 T is reasonably well explained. With a further increase in the magnetic field strength, the Kondo bound state becomes unstable, and concomitantly the XMCD spectra behave in a different way from those at low magnetic fields. One of the most striking behavior is the field-dependence of the L2 XMCD intensity of the Yb system; the XMCD intensity first increases with the magnetic field strength, but decreases as the Kondo bound state becomes unstable.