Sommerfeld coefficient of δ-Pu determined via a low-temperature specific heat Pu-Ce study

0355441 - FZÚ 2011 RIV US eng J - Journal Article
Havela, L. - Javorský, P. - Shick, Alexander - Kolorenč, Jindřich - Colineau, E. - Rebizant, J. - Wastin, F. - Griveau, J.C. - Jolly, L. - Texier, G. - Delaunay, F. - Baclet, N.
Sommerfeld coefficient of δ-Pu determined via a low-temperature specific heat Pu-Ce study.
Physical Review. B. Roč. 82, č. 15 (2010), 155140/1-155140/5. ISSN 1098-0121
R&D Projects: GA ČR(CZ) GAP204/10/0330
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z10100520
Keywords : Sommerfeld coefficient γ * δ-Pu
Subject RIV: BM - Solid Matter Physics ; Magnetism
Impact factor: 3.772, year: 2010

Low-temperature specific-heat experiments on δ-Pu stabilized by Ce give the value of the Sommerfeld coefficient γ in the close vicinity of 40 mJ/mol K2. The most precise data set for Pu-6.1 at. % Ce yields γ=(41.5±0.5) mJ/mol K2 and the Debye temperature θD=(103.0±0.5 K). As Ce is in a compressed α-Ce state, major contribution to the γ value comes from the Pu states. Theoretical calculations suggest that the 5f6 admixture in the 5f5 ground state is responsible for the high-γ value. Although the 5f states are not present at the Fermi level, low-energy excitations due to transitions of the 5f6→5f5 type contribute to the spectral density around the Fermi level.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0194210