Heat Capacity of Scandoborate NdSc-=SUB=-3-=/SUB=-(BO_3)-=SUB=-4-=/SUB=-

Abstract

Single crystals of trigonal neodymium scandoborate NdSc3(BO_3)4 were grown by the group method from a solution-melt based on bismuth trimolybdate. The molar heat capacity C(T) was studied in the temperature range 2-300 K and magnetic fields up to 9 T. The experimental curve was approximated by the combined Debye-Einstein model. The lattice contribution was determined from ab-initio calculations. Schottky anomaly was observed in the low-temperature region C(T) with the applied magnetic field. Keywords: crystal growth, magnetoelectrics, heat capacity, Schottky anomaly.