Experimental evidence for the existence of a 5,epsilonf resonantly localised continuum state in uranium

The absorption spectrum of UF4 in the vapour phase has been recorded and is compared with the absorption spectrum of solid uranium in the energy range corresponding to excitation of a 5d electron. The close similarity of the two spectra, which are dominated by strong peaks above each of the 5d thresholds, provides experimental evidence for the existence of a resonantly localised 5, epsilonf continuum state of essentially atomic character in uranium. (author)