X-RAY-ABSORPTION STUDY OF VALENCE FLUCTUATIONS IN ALLOYS OF SMSE WITHSMSB

We report for the first time the results of XANES (X-ray absorption ne ar-edge structure) spectroscopy and lattice parameter measurements on alloys of SmSe with SmSb, i.e. the SmSe1-xSbx (x = 0.0 to 0.3) system. The Sm L(III) XANES data clearly point to a continuous valence transi tion of Sm with increasing Sb concentrations. A gradual decrease in th e lattice parameter without a change in symmetry with Sb concentration s further supports the XANES results. Sm average valence data estimate d from the two techniques show fair agreement.