Pd/Cu Site Interchange and Non-Fermi-Liquid Behavior in UCu{sub 4}Pd

X-ray-absorption fine-structure measurements of the local structure in UCu{sub 4}Pd are described which indicate a probable lattice-disorder origin for non-Fermi-liquid behavior in this material. Short Pd-Cu distances are observed, consistent with (24{plus_minus}3){percent} of the Pd atoms occupying nominally Cu sites. A {open_quotes}Kondo disorder{close_quotes} model, based on the effect on the local Kondo temperature T{sub K} of this interchange and some additional bond-length disorder, agrees quantitatively with previous experimental susceptibility data, and therefore also with specific heat and magnetic resonance experiments. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society }