%0 Journal Article
%T Tuning the Eu valence in EuPd_3B_x: pressure versus valence electron count - a combined computational and experimental study
%A M. Schmitt
%A R. Gumeniuk
%A A. Trapananti
%A G. Aquilanti
%A C. Strohm
%A K. Meier
%A U. Schwarz
%A M. Hanfland
%A W. Schnelle
%A A. Leithe-Jasper
%A H. Rosner
%J Physics
%D 2012
%I arXiv
%X In a joint theoretical and experimental study we investigate the pressure dependence of the Eu valence in EuPd_3B_x (0 <= x <= 1). Density functional band structure calculations are combined with x-ray absorption and x-ray diffraction measurements under hydrostatic pressures up to 30 GPa. It is observed that the heterogenous mixed-valence state of Eu in EuPd_3B_x (x >= 0.2) can be suppressed partially in this pressure range. From the complementary measurements we conclude that the valence change in EuPd_3B_x is mainly driven by the number of additional valence electrons due to the insertion of boron, whereas the volume change is a secondary effect. A similar valence change of Eu in Eu_{1-x}La_xPd_3 is predicted for x >= 0.4, in line with the suggested electron count scenario.
%U http://arxiv.org/abs/1203.1865v1