  While near-zero thermal expansion (NZTE) in YbGaGe is sensitive to
stoichiometry and defect concentration, the NZTE mechanism remains elusive. We
present x-ray absorption spectra that show unequivocally that Yb is nearly
divalent in YbGaGe and the valence does not change with temperature or with
nominally 1% B or 5% C impurities, ruling out a valence-fluctuation mechanism.
Moreover, substantial changes occur in the local structure around Yb with B and
C inclusion. Together with inelastic neutron scattering measurements, these
data indicate a strong tendency for the lattice to disorder, providing a
possible explanation for NZTE in YbGaGe.
