Ag3Ni3and Ag4Ni4multilayers have been analyzed by electron induced x‐ray emission spectroscopy. Changes observed on the density of valence states in the Ni layers, with respect to the bulk, are correlated with the variation of the lattice parameter deduced from x‐ray diffraction experiments. In the Ag layers no change in the density of valence states is observed and the lattice parameter is almost unchanged. These behaviors are explained by an electronic effect due to the low dimensionality of the multilayers. ©1995 American Institute of Physics.