Orbital band magnetism in actinide intermetallics

Abstract

We review briefly the theory developed for handling 5f electron magnetism within a band (itinerant)-theory approach. One consequence of this theory, which includes orbital-polarization effects, is that large changes are predicted in the ratio of orbital to spin magnetism as compared to localized f-electron behavior. Neutron experiments have determined this ratio, and the agreement with theory is good. Further consequences are discussed.