Magnetic polarization of the americium $J = 0$ ground state in AmFe$_{2}$

Trivalent americium has a non-magnetic ($J$ = 0) ground state arising from the cancelation of the orbital and spin moments. However, magnetism can be induced by a large molecular field if Am$^{3+}$ is embedded in a ferromagnetic matrix. Using the technique of x-ray magnetic circular dichroism, we show that this is the case in AmFe$_2$. Since $langle J_z rangle$ = 0, the spin component is exactly twice as large as the orbital one, the total Am moment is opposite to that of Fe, and the magnetic dipole operator $langle T_{z} rangle$ can be determined directly; we discuss the progression of the latter across the actinide series.

X-ray magnetic circular dichroism experiments and theory of transuranium Laves phase compounds

The actinide cubic Laves compounds NpAl2, NpOs2, NpFe2, and PuFe2 have been examined by X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) at the actinide M4,5 absorption edges and Os L2,3 absorption edges. The XMCD experiments performed at the M4,5 absorption edges of Np and Pu allow us to determine the spectroscopic branching ratio, which gives information on the coupling scheme in these materials. In all materials the intermediate coupling scheme is found appropriate. Comparison with the SQUID data for NpOs2 and PuFe2 allows a determination of the individual orbital and spin magnetic moments and the magnetic dipole contribution mmd. The resulting orbital and spin magnetic moments are in good agreement with earlier values determined by neutron diffraction, and the values of mmd are non-negligible, and close to those predicted for intermediate coupling. There is a comparatively large induced moment on the Os atom in NpOs2 such that the Os contribution to the total moment per formula unit is ~30% of the total. The spin and orbital moments at the Os site are parallel, in contrast to the anti-parallel configuration of Os impurities in 3d ferromagnetic transition metals. Calculations using the LDA+U technique are reported. The ab initio computed XMCD spectra show good agreement with experimental spectra for small values (0-1eV) of the Hubbard U parameter, which underpins that 5f electrons in these compounds are relatively delocalized.