From Atomic Physics to Solid-State Physics: Magnetism and Electronic Structure of PrNi₅, ErNi₅, LaCoO₃ and UPd₂Al₃

摘要

A consistent physical understanding of electronic, magnetic and spectroscopic properties of PrNi₅ and ErNi₅ is obtained with treating the f electrons as highly-correlated. The fine electronic structure, related with the atomic-like states and determined by the crystal-field and spin-orbit interactions, has been evaluated by means of different experimental techniques. The importance of the higher-order charge multipolar interactions and the local symmetry of the crystal field for the realized fine electronic structure and for the ground state are pointed out. We point out that a significant success of the crystal-field theory indicates on the substantial preservation of the atomic-like structure of the open-shell atoms even when they become part of solid.