Analysis of low temperature specific heat in Nd0.5Sr0.5MnO3 and R0.5Ca0.5MnO3 (R=Nd, Sm, Dy and Ho) compounds

Abstract We report on the specific heat C ( T ) of doped manganites Nd 0.5 Sr 0.5 MnO 3 , Nd 0.5 Ca 0.5 MnO 3 , Sm 0.5 Ca 0.5 MnO 3 , Dy 0.5 Ca 0.5 MnO 3 and Ho 0.5 Ca 0.5 MnO 3 in the temperature range 2⩽ T ⩽300 K using modified rigid ion model (MRIM). The present specific heat results are in general satisfactory agreement with experimental data except at very low temperatures (i.e. T ⩽12 K). Also a sharp peak observed in the experimental results for these compounds around 5 K could not be revealed by our computed results as they arise due to Schottky-like anomaly. Besides, we have reported the cohesive and the thermal properties of these compounds. The results obtained by us are discussed in detail.