The Absorption Spectrum of Americium.
Abstract
The absorption spectra of aqueous solutions and solid compounds of americium have been investigated with a Baird 3-meter grating spectrograph. The relation of the spectrum to that of other actinide and rare-earth compounds is discussed. It has long been observed that the absorption spectra of the trivalent rare-earth ions possess a unique sharpness, the structure of the peaks being discernible at room temperature and even in solutions. This phenomenon has also been observed in the case of the electronically analogous actinide elements. The generally accepted explanation for the origin of the lines in the rare-earth spectra is that they result from transitions within the 4f electron shell. Trivalent europium, the analog of americium, has been shown by absorption spectra and magnetic susceptibility data to have a 4f(6) electron configuration, a (7)F sub 0 ground state, and one or more low-lying excited levels. Since americium ion probably has a 5f(6) configuration, it also is expected to have a singlet ground state and one or more low-lying excited levels. p4
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 03, 1950
- Accession Number
- ADA311000
Entities
People
- B. B. Cunningham
- B. J. Stover
- J. G. Conway
Organizations
- University of California