AVS 60th International Symposium and Exhibition
    Actinides and Rare Earths Focus Topic Monday Sessions
       Session AC+MI+SA+TF-MoM

Invited Paper AC+MI+SA+TF-MoM3
5f Electron Localization

Monday, October 28, 2013, 9:00 am, Room 102 C

Session: Actinides and Rare Earths: Experiment and Electron Correlation
Presenter: J.L. Smith, Los Alamos National Laboratory
Correspondent: Click to Email

The light actinide elements show a large number of crystal structures and low-melting points. At the element americium, this 5f-electron series finally settles down and looks like the rare-earth series. This occurs because the 5f electrons have ceased to form energy bands and have localized. The superconductivity of americium proved this. I will review how the tug of war between itinerant and localized behavior leads to all of the interesting properties and touch on such things as quantum critical points. This has impact on the understanding of the other long rows in the periodic table.