Formation of localized moments in metals: experimental bulk properties

This review presents systematically most of the experimental data which have been obtained from measurements of bulk properties of alloys and intermetallic compounds containing atoms of transition metals, rare earths or actinides which can be considered as non-interacting with each other. Criteria for the observation of effects due to non-interacting atoms are given. Data are reported from measurements of magnetic properties, electrical resistivity, specific heat, superconductivity, thermoelectric power, thermal conductivity, thermal expansion and compressibility, de Haas-van Alphen and Hall effects and optical properties. Systematic trends in experimental behaviour can be observed in many of these data, and using this observation experimental parameters are defined which are used to classify the data before attempting a comparison with theories.