Search for phonon anomalies in the intermediate valence compound CeSn3

The phonon dispersion relations of the intermediate valence compound CeSn3 and the integral valence reference compound LaSn3 were measured by inelastic neutron scattering. They are quite similar and no phonon anomalies due to valence fluctuations in CeSn3 were detected. Likewise no line broadening was observed. Model calculations revealed, that the influence of the 'breathing' deformability of the rare earth ions on the lattice dynamics is only moderate; moreover the breathing force constant turned out to be equal for both CeSn3 and LaSn3. (author)