Handbook On The Physics And Chemistry Of Rare Earths. Lanthanides/actinides: Physics

Handbook on the Physics and Chemistry of Rare Earths, volume 17 Lanthanides/Actinides: Physics I Elsevier, 1993 Edited by: Karl A. Gschneidner, Jr., LeRoy Eyring G.H. Lander and G.R. Choppin ISBN: 978-0-444-81502-6 by kmno4 Handbook on the Physics and Chemistry of Rare Earths Vol. 17 - Lanthanides/Actinides: Physics - I edited by K.A. Gschneidner, Jr., L. Eyrin 9, G.H. Lander and G.R. Choppin © 1993 EIsevier Science Publishers B.V. All rights reserved PREFACE Karl A. G S C H N E I D N E R , Jr., LeRoy EYRING, Gerry H. LANDER, and Gregory R. C H O P P I N These elements perplex us in our rearches [sic], baffie us in our speculations, and haunt us in our very dreams. They stretch like an unknown sea before us mocking, mystifying, and murmuring strange revelations and possibilities. Sir William Crookes (February 16, 1887) This volume of the Handbook is the first of a three-volume set of reviews devoted to the interrelationships, similarities, differences and contrasts of the lanthanide and actinide series of elements. The idea of these volumes grew out of a conversation between one of the editors, KAG, and a member of the editorial board, Stefan Hüfner, in early June 1986. This idea was enthusiastically received by the other editor (LE) and editorial board members, and also the publishers. Numerous topics and authors were suggested and soon it was apparent that this special subject was too large to be covered in one or possibly two volumes, and that the editors (KAG and LE) of this series would need help from two leading scientists who had considerable experience and knowledge of both series of elements. Thus, Gerry H. Lander and Gregory R. Choppin were invited to be guest editors for this special set of volumes on the lanthanides/actinides. After they accepted, the four editors carefully and critically chose the various topics, and top experts in the various areas were invited to write reviews keeping in mind that the emphasis was to be on the interrelationships of the lanthanides and actinides. Now, more than seven years after Stefan Hüfner's initial suggestion, the first volume, which is devoted to the physical aspects, is in print. Soon to follow are volumes emphasizing chemical comparisons and another dealing with additional physical topics. The observations and comments of Sir William Crookes (as noted above) over 106 years ago about the lanthanides is even more appropriate to these lanthanide/actinide tomes. This is especially noteworthy because only two of the actinide series of elements were then known (Th and U), and the concept of such a series was not to develop for about 50 years. But we hope that the material presented in these three lanthanide/ actinide volumes will shed light on some of the mysteries of yesterday, but as surely as we begin to understand them, new ones will arise to continue to haunt us as we move forward and ever onward. vi PREFACE In this volume we have eight chapters concer