CRYSTAL-FIELD EFFECTS IN PRCU2SI2 - AN EVALUATION OF EVIDENCE FOR HEAVY-FERMION BEHAVIOR

We present the results of an inelastic neutron-scattering investigation of the crystal-field potential of PrCu2Si2. The crystal-field parameters and corresponding level scheme have been determined from a profile refinement of the neutron spectra in the paramagnetic state. The overall splitting is 11.33 meV with a doublet ground state and the first excited singlet at 1.35 meV. The low-energy transitions produce a Schottky contribution to the specific heat that agrees well with the measurements above the Néel temperature. Therefore the specific heat does not provide evidence for heavy-fermion behavior as previously proposed. © 1994 The American Physical Society.