Self-consistent relativistic calculations of the electronic properties for seven actinides (Ac-Am) have been performed using the linear muffin-tin orbitals method within the atomic-sphere approximation. Exchange and correlation were included in the local spindensity scheme. The theory explains the variation of the atomic volume and the bulk modulus through the $5f$ series in terms of an increasing $5f$ binding up to plutonium followed by a sudden localization (through complete spin polarization) in americium.

• Received 18 April 1978

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.41.42