The thermodynamic behaviour of Sm3+-doped LiKSO4 crystals

The influence of the point defects introduced by means of Sm³⁺ on the thermal properties of LiKSO₄ crystals was studied in the vicinity of the high-temperature phase at 708 and 940 K. The temperature dependence of the specific heat was found to vary monotonously with the Sm³⁺content, while the first transition temperature was unchanged. The change in the value of the specific heat was attributed to the correlation between the defect-defect interaction and the presence of internal local strain generated inside the crystal. The variation of the excess specific heat with the reduced temperature obeys the 3d Ising model.