Itinerant U 5f band states in the layered compound UFeGa5 observed by soft X-ray angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy

TL;DR

This study uses soft X-ray ARPES to investigate the electronic structure of UFeGa5, revealing that U 5f states are itinerant and largely consistent with theoretical calculations, enhancing understanding of actinide electronic behavior.

Contribution

First direct experimental observation of U 5f itinerant states in UFeGa5 using soft X-ray ARPES, confirming theoretical models.

Findings

U 5f states are itinerant in UFeGa5

Fermi surface morphology matches LDA calculations

Experimental band structure qualitatively agrees with theory

Abstract

We have performed angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) experiments on paramagnetic UFeGa5 using soft X-ray synchrotron radiation (hn=500eV) and derived the bulk- and U 5f-sensitive electronic structure of UFeGa5. Although the agreement between the experimental band structure and the LDA calculation treating U 5f electrons as being itinerant is qualitative, the morphology of the Fermi surface is well explained by the calculation, suggesting that the U 5f states can be essentially understood within the itinerant-electron model.