Abstract
The amorphous alloy Ce75.5Co24.5 prepared by melt spinning has been studied through measurements of the magnetic susceptibility, magnetization, electrical resistivity, thermoelectric power and specific heat. The results are interpreted in terms of a homogeneous intermediate valence state of the Ce ions. This is inferred from a temperature-independent magnetic susceptibility at low temperature and the absence of magnetic ordering, a large linear term in the specific heat, and aT2 dependence of the electrical resistivity at low temperature followed by a steep increase with temperature up to 50 K. At this temperature, the thermoelectric power displays a maximum. The intrinsic properties are partially obscured at low temperatures by a contribution from roughly a few percent of magnetic ‘impurities’, presumably Ce3+ ions. They manifest themselves by an increase of the susceptibility towards low temperatures and by a broad Schottky-like contribution to the specific heat resulting from the excitation of magnetic clusters.
Published Version
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