Thermal Expansion Coefficient Temperature Research Articles

On the low temperature thermal expansion of cerium

The anomalous behavior in the low temperature thermal expansion coefficient is discussed in terms of a semiquantitative description of the thermal expansion coefficient of polycrystalline cerium as a function of temperature. This description also leads to an investigation of whether the f electrons occupy a bound state or a virtual state in the Friedel's sense. Satisfactory agreement was obtained between the equation for the thermal expansion coefficient and the experimental curve, confirming that f electrons occupy a virtual state. (L.B.S.)