  We have investigated the electronic structure of CaCu3Ru4O12 and LaCu3Ru4O12
using soft x-ray photoelectron and absorption spectroscopy together with band
structure and cluster configuration interaction calculations. We found the Cu
to be in a robust divalent ionic state while the Ru is more itinerant in
character and stabilizes the metallic state. Substitution of Ca by La
predominantly affects the Ru states. We observed strong correlation effects in
the Cu 3d states affecting the valence band line shape considerably. Using
resonant photoelectron spectroscopy at the Cu L3 edge we were able to unveil
the position of the Zhang-Rice singlet states in the one-electron removal
spectrum of the Cu with respect to the Ru-derived metallic bands in the
vicinity of the chemical potential.
