We present Ce 3d XPS results from Ce7Rh3, CeRh2 and CeRh3 taken with A
l K alpha and Mg K alpha X-rays. The Mg-excited spectra are more surfa
ce sensitive than those excited by Al K alpha and the differences in t
he spectral functions are exploited to obtain information on the varia
tion of the 4f configuration in the bulk and at the surface as seen th
rough the multiplet structure in Ce 3d XPS. In strongly hybridized com
pounds (CeRh2 and CeRh3) the reduction of the hybridization at the sur
face is well seen while Ce7Rh3 which is weakly hybridized has little,
if any, surface effect. In order to quantify the effect we introduce a
suitable procedure in data analysis. The ground state properties in t
he bulk and at the surface are briefly discussed by using the single i
mpurity Anderson Hamiltonian.