X-RAY MAGNETIC CIRCULAR-DICHROISM AT THE U-M(4,5) ABSORPTION EDGES OFUFE2

We present an x-ray magnetic circular dichroism study performed at the U M(4,5) edges on UFe2, a ferromagnet with almost itinerant 5f electr ons. The analysis of the branching ratio of the U M(4,5) edges confirm s the fact that the occupation number of the 5f states in UFe2 is lowe r than in other compounds where the f electrons are more localized. Ma gnetic circular dichroism effects are observed consistently with the p resence of an orbital 5f magnetic moment which aligns parallel to the total magnetic moment. In agreement with a polarized neutron study, we find a nearly perfect cancellation of the U-5f spin and orbital magne tic moments, which results in a vanishing small total U-5f magnetic mo ment. Results are discussed in comparison with atomic multiplet calcul ations.