Electronic structures of RCuIn and R2CuIn3 (R = La, Ce, Pr)

Electronic structures of ternary compounds RCuIn and R2CuIn3 ( R = La, Ce, Pr) have been studied by the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The valence bands and the XPS core levels were investigated. The two families of compounds crystallize in different hexagonal crystal structures: ZrNiAl-type for RCuIn and AlB2-type for R2CuIn3. Analysis of the XPS valence bands indicates that they are mainly determined by the Cu 3d band. The analysis of the Ce 3d spectra based on the Gunnarsson-Schonhammer model gives the hybridization of the 4f electrons with the conduction band equal to 45 meV for CeCuIn and to 140 meV for Ce2CuIn3. The appearance of the 3d(9)4f(0) component is a clear evidence of the intermediate valence behaviour for cerium. The 4f occupation number is 0.95 for CeCuIn and 0.92 for Ce2CuIn3. The analysis of the other core levels confirms a small influence of the atomic surrounding on the electronic structure.