Thermoelectric Power of CePt_1-xNi_x

Abstract

The thermoelectric power, S, of samples of CePt_1-xNi_x has been measured as a function of temperature, T, from 2 K to room temperature. The present samples are the ternary alloy system of CeNi [an intermediate valence (IV) compound] and of CePt, one of the few compounds classified as a Kondo-ferromagnet. The S(T) curves present a continuous evolution through the compositions studied. For the richer Ni compounds x>0.9 we recover the characteristic features of the IV compounds while for the rest of the ordered compounds, S(T) presents a complex structure reflecting the competition of RKKY and Kondo interactions. The initial slopes, α, of the S(T), estimated at T=0, have the same variation as the electronic specific-heat coefficient, γ, with the Ni concentration, x, presenting a broad maximum at around x=0.85, near to the concentration of disappearance of the ferromagnetic order.