Electronic and magnetic properties of Ce₃Pd₅Si

We present the results of exploratory measurements of the electrical resistivity ρ(T), magnetoresistivity MR, magnetic susceptibility χ(T), and specific heat C(T) on polycrystalline Ce₃Pd₅Si. The temperature variation of ρ(T) and of χ(T) from room temperature down to ∼10 K indicate largely normal-metal behaviour. Below 10 K ρ(T) decreases rapidly with lowering temperature and displays a knee at 3.5 K. χ(T) remains Curie-Weiss-like down to 100 K, with the paramagnetic Curie temperature of +12.7 K, and the effective magnetic moment of 2.37 μ_B/mol_Ce. At lower temperatures the inverse susceptibility χ^-1(T) reveals crystal field effects but no anomaly hinting that magnetic phase transition is seen down to 1.7 K. The MR is large and negative below 30 K. In C(T) there is an upturn towards very large values at low temperatures, and an anomaly is seen at 3.5 K, typical of magnetic ordering.