We present an extensive study of structure, composition, electronic and magnetic properties of Ce--Pt surface intermetallic phases on Pt(111) as a function of their thickness. The sequence of structural phases appearing in low energy electron diffrac
tion (LEED) may invariably be attributed to a single underlying intermetallic atomic lattice. Findings from both microscopic and spectroscopic methods, respectively, prove compatible with CePt$_5$ formation when their characteristic probing depth is adequately taken into account. The intermetallic film thickness serves as an effective tuning parameter which brings about characteristic variations of the Cerium valence and related properties. Soft x-ray absorption (XAS) and magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) prove well suited to trace the changing Ce valence and to assess relevant aspects of Kondo physics in the CePt$_5$ surface intermetallic. We find characteristic Kondo scales of the order of 10$^2$ K and evidence for considerable magnetic Kondo screening of the local Ce $4f$ moments. CePt$_5$/Pt(111) and related systems therefore appear to be promising candidates for further studies of low-dimensional Kondo lattices at surfaces.
We use x-ray absorption and magnetic circular dichroism to study electronic configuration and local susceptibility of CePt5/Pt(111) surface alloys from well above to well below the impurity Kondo temperature. The anisotropic paramagnetic response is
governed by the hexagonal crystal field and ferromagnetic correlations, with modified parameters for Ce moments residing next to the alloy surface. Quantitative XMCD evaluations provide direct evidence of Kondo screening of both spin and orbital 4f moments. Magnetic signatures of coherence are not apparent for T >= 13 K.
