Abstract
A model for the electronic structure of the RxMy intermetallic compounds is proposed in which the s electrons are spread over the crystal and the d states are mostly localized on the transition metal sites, the degree of localization varying from 3d to 4d and 5d. The authors distinguish between two cases: (i) magnetism driven by the localized f moments (e.g. GdCo2), and (ii) magnetism sustained by the d band (e.g. LuFe2). These two situations are discussed in terms of an effective s-d coupling and an s-f exchange; the transition metal magnetic moment in (ii) is calculated using a simple model. The rare earth isomer shifts and the paramagnetic susceptibility of the compounds are also considered; the excess h.f. fields in the RFe2 compounds may be understood within this picture. Finally, it is shown that the s-d hybridization mechanism may account for the observed effective s-d coupling.

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