On the electronic properties of actinide oxides

The available information of a direct nature on the properties of electrons in actinide oxides is critically surveyed. Some critical assessment is made on the new ideas about the bonding of these systems, ideas which have emerged mostly from thermodynamical and structural considerations. The aim in doing this is to a) judge how many of these ideas can be supported by direct experimental evidence on the electronic properties; b) attempt, on the other hand, to imagine which experimental results are needed to confirm or refute them. (Auth.)