In this work, an x-ray absorption study at the L edges of several rare
earth compounds is presented. In both L2 and L3 spectra a multi elect
ron structure is clearly extracted and interpreted as an intra-atomic
two-electron transition involving 2p and 4d electrons. In particular t
his work clearly investigates the presence and characterizes the struc
tures in the EXAFS spectra. The role of multiplets and the cross secti
ons of the allowed double electron transitions are also discussed.