X-ray absorption spectroscopic study of mixed valence systems EuCu₂Si₂, YbCu₂Si₂ and Sm₄Bi₃

Abstract

X-ray absorption spectroscopy technique is employed to determine the valence of the rare earth ions in EuCu₂Si₂, YbCu₂Si₂ and Sm₄Bi₃. In each case, two absorption peaks corresponding to two different valence states of respective rare earth ions have been observed. Low temperature (77 K) study of EuCu₂Si₂ indicates distinct change in the relative intensities of the absorption peaks compared to those registered at room temperature (300 K). It is inferred from the change in the relative intensities that the population of Eu²⁺ in EuCu₂Si₂ decreases at liquid nitrogen temperature compared to Eu³⁺. Conclusions drawn from these results agree well with those reported by others using different experimental techniques. In Sm₄Bi₃, Sm²⁺ and Sm³⁺ are found to occur in the ratio of 3:1.