Study and evolution with temperature of the intermediate valence state in CeBe13

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Abstract
CeBe13 is thought to present an intermediate valence state at normal pressure. An interesting feature of this intermetallic compound is that the valence of cerium seems to vary with temperature. The results of an XPS study which confirms the coexistence of the two valence states of cerium (Ce3+(4f15d0); Ce4+(4f05d1)) in CeBe13 are presented. When the temperature is lowered down to 100K both the lattice parameter behaviour and the XPS spectra may be explained assuming a slight increase of the ratio Ce4+/Ce3+. In order to ensure the validity of the results, a comparison with other LnBe13 compounds is given. Electrical resistivity and susceptibility measurements on LnBe13 (Ln:La, Ce, Gd) are also discussed and this illustrates clearly the particular behaviour of CeBe13.