Physical properties of stoichiometric CeN single crystals

Abstract

The preparation and definition of stoichiometric large (3–5 mm edge length) single crystals of CeN are described. The band structure is discussed and compared with X-ray-photoemission-spectra (XPS), Bremsstrahlen-isochromat-spectroscopy (BIS) and optical reflectivity. CeN is intermediate valent with partially occupied and empty 4f states near EF. The specific heat is measured until 0.3 K and the γ term exhibits a sharp upturn toward the lowest temperatures. The Debye temperature is evaluated. The magnetic susceptibility is a large Pauli term pointing to a high density of states at EF as expected for a fractionally filled 4f1 state.