f-count effects in x-ray-absorption spectra of the3dlevels in Ce and its intermetallic compounds

The $3d$ x-ray-absorption spectra of Ce, Ce${\mathrm{Sn}}_3$, CeAu, CePd, ${\mathrm{Ce}}_3$ ${\mathrm{Pd}}_5$, Ce${\mathrm{Pd}}_3$, Ce${\mathrm{Ni}}_2$, and Ce${\mathrm{Ni}}_5$ have been studied. Results of theoretical calculations of the $3d$ absorption spectra are also reported. Comparison with theory shows that the observed spectra are compatible with photoemission-derived $4f$-level widths, arising from hybridization with the conduction states, of 30-130 meV and $f$ counts greater than 0.8, in all the compounds studied. The relative merits of x-ray-absorption spectroscopy as a tool for the study of Ce compounds are briefly discussed.