Date of Award

Winter 12-2003

Document Type

Master's Research Paper

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Physics

First Advisor

Dr. Laurence L. Henry

Second Advisor

Dr. Pradeep Bhattacharya

Third Advisor

Dr. Diola Bagayoko

Abstract

The calorimetric properties of a CaEuZrO based sample, synthesized by a solid-state reaction process in the Electron Transport and Magnetic Properties of Materials (ETMPM) lab, are investigated by analyzing low temperature (2 -20 K) heat capacity data. The total heat capacity of a material may be expressed as C = Celec + Cph + Cnuc + Cmag + Ci. In mathematical terms, it may be expressed as C = yT + aT3 + An T-2 + Ci. In this equation, the term yT is the electronic heat capacity, aT3 is the lattice or phonon heat capacity, AnT-2 is the nuclear heat capacity and Ci represents any other heat capacity contributors that may be present. The various contributors may be identified based on their distinct temperature dependence in different temperature ranges. In the study, previously collected heat capacity data for the sample is analyzed. Estimates for the lattice and electronic coefficients were determined to be a= 1 x 10-6 J/g-K4 and y = 2 x 10-7 J/g-K2, respectively. Thus, the lattice heat capacity is dominant in the temperature range from 2 -20 K.

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