Mössbauer spectroscopy of actinide intermetallics

Due to their wider radial extent the 5f electrons may form bands of different width and hybridization in metallic compounds of the light actinides. This leads to a broad spectrum of magnetic properties ranging from the localized magnetism of the lanthanides to the itinerant electron magnetism often found in transition metal compounds. Also, the influence of the crystalline electric field tends to be more pronounced than in rare earth compounds, but is usually not as dominant as in the 3d series. Magnetic structures and the question of 5f electron delocalization will be reviewed with respect to actinide Mössbauer data and new results will be presented. In particular the influence of applying external pressure will be discussed.