Chemical environment and Ce valence: Global trends in transition-metal compounds

Abstract

Results of ${L}_{\mathrm{III}}$ absorption spectroscopy measurements on a wide range of Ce--transition-metal (T) compounds are presented and Ce valence-state estimates are made. We are able to identify extremely regular trends in the response of the Ce valence and Ce-T hybridization strength to systematic variations in the solid-state chemical environment. Our work facilitates identification of the specific elements in the T-metal electronic structure which drive the Ce valence-state change.