title: Localized 4f states and dynamic Jahn-Teller effect in PrO2.
abstract: Neutron spectroscopic measurements of the magnetic excitations in PrO2 reveal (1) sharp peaks characteristic of transitions between levels of the 4f(1) configuration of Pr4+ split by the cubic crystal field, and (2) broad bands of scattering centered near 30 and 160 meV. We present a simple model based on a vibronic Hamiltonian that accounts for these contrasting features of the data. The analysis shows that 90%+/-10% of the Pr ions have a localized 4f(1) configuration and provides strong evidence for a dynamic Jahn-Teller effect in the gamma(8) electronic ground state.
authors: Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
authors: A T
authors: AT
authors: Boothroyd
authors: C H
authors: CH
authors: Gardiner
authors: S J
authors: SJ
authors: Lister
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Santini
authors: B D
authors: BD
authors: Rainford
authors: L D
authors: LD
authors: Noailles
authors: D B
authors: DB
authors: Currie
authors: R S
authors: RS
authors: Eccleston
authors: R I
authors: RI
authors: Bewley