Specific heat and thermal expansion of CePt in the 0.7–300 K temperature range

Abstract

Heat capacity measurements on the orthorombic compounds CePt and LaPt are presented between 0.7 K and 300 K. Measurements over this large temperature range allow a good estimate of the crystalline electric field (CEF) levels derived from the J = 5 2 ground multiplet of the Ce 3+ ion lying in a low symmetry site. The subtraction of the corresponding Schottky anomaly allows an accurate value for the electronic coefficient γ to be obtained, which is clearly enhanced compared with previous estimates made without considering CEF effects. The thermal expansion anomaly can be explained with the CEF level scheme deduced from the specific heat results.