Magnetic properties of the actinide elements and their metallic compounds

Abstract

A review is given of the magnetic properties of metallic actinides, and of the relationship between their properties and their electronic structures. It is shown that the 5f electrons of light actinides often form into bands, rather than exist as localised electrons as is usually the case for the 4f electrons of metallic rare earths. The 5f bands form due to 5f-5f wavefunction overlap or to hybridisation with s, p or d electrons. As a result of the band formation, a wide variety of magnetic phenomena may occur. These range from non-magnetic transition-metal behaviour, to spin fluctuations and itinerant magnetism, as well as localised 5f electron magnetism.