Polarization-dependent x-ray-absorption spectroscopy of RNi2B2C (R = Er to Lu): Reduced Ni-3d occupancy in YbNi2B2C - art. no. 020504

摘要

We present here the results of polarization-dependent x-ray-absorption near-edge structure (XANES) studies at the B-K, C-K, and Ni-L-3 thresholds of single-crystalline borocarbide compounds RNi2B2C (with R = Er to Lu) using bulk-sensitive fluorescence yield technique. The Ni-L3 XANES spectrum for YbNi2B2C with photon polarization parallel to the ab plane is significantly more intense than in analogous spectra of other members of this series. This indicates a reduced Ni-3d occupancy in the Ni2B2 layer in YbNi2B2C, a fact that might be responsible for the absence of superconductivity in this material. [References: 30]