Localized 4f States and Dynamic Jahn-Teller Effect in PrO2

Abstract

Neutron spectroscopic measurements of the magnetic excitations in PrO$_2$ reveal (1) sharp peaks characteristic of transitions between levels of the $4f^1$ configuration of Pr$^{4+}$ split by the cubic crystal field, and (2) broad bands of scattering centred near 30 meV and 160 meV. We present a simple model based on a vibronic Hamiltonian that accounts for the main features of the data. The analysis shows that $90\pm10$% of the Pr ions have a localized $4f^1$ configuration and provides strong evidence for a dynamic Jahn-Teller effect in the $\Gamma_8$ electronic ground state.