An Investigation of the Europium Valence in EuCu1.75P2by Eu M?ssbauer and Eu LIII-Edge X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy

The europium valence for EuCu1.75P2is examined by Eu M?ssbauer spectroscopy and Eu LIII-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy. On the basis of previous measurements of related phases with the ThCr2Si2structure-type, the europium valence in EuCu1.75P2is expected to be intermediate valent or trivalent. In contrast, divalent europium is observed. This result is explained on the basis of a band argument in which the conduction band is filled, and thus, there is an extra electron in the Eu 4f7state.