ELECTRONIC-STRUCTURE OF CE-PNICTIDES

High-resolution x-ray photoemission has been used to study the electronic structure of the Ce-pnictides (CeN, CeP, CeAs and CeSb). This series of isostructural compounds allows us to follow the evolution of the 4f level as the distance between Ce atoms varies. Core level spectra show clearly that the 4f state is localized in all the compounds. In the valence band region, the width of the 4f peak is strongly influenced by the energy overlap with the extended states originating from anion p states. The spectra of CeN reveal the existence of a mixed configuration. © 1979.