We have studied the electronic structure of ${\mathrm{CeRh}}_3$${\mathrm{B}}_2$, which has an anomalously high ferromagnetic ordering temperature, by linear dichroism in the Ce 4d core-level x-ray-absorption spectra. The result indicates an unusually large axial crystal field of order 0.1–0.2 eV along the hexagonal c axis. We propose a possible origin of the giant crystal field and the anomalous ferromagnetism in terms of the strong interatomic Ce 4f–Ce 5d hybridization.

• Received 10 June 1992

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.46.9845