Yb valence state in Yb5Rh4Ge10

Abstract

Temperature- and pressure-dependent Yb valence state in Yb5Rh4Ge10 has been investigated by means of Yb 3d hard X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (HAXPES) and Yb L3 absorption spectroscopy (XAS). The mean Yb valence derived from the Yb 3d HAXPES is estimated to be ∼2.78 at 300 K and decreases to ∼2.74 at 20 K. On the other hand, the Yb valence deduced from the Yb L3 XAS at 300 K is almost constant with ∼2.81 in the pressure range between 9.2 and 34.7 GPa.