Electronic structure and thermodynamic properties of CeRhAl

We have investigated the electronic structure of CeRhAl which crystallizes in the orthorhombic Pd₂(Pd,Mn)Ge₂-type structure, uncommon for the series of ternary Ce intermetallics. Our calculations reveal a band structure in very good agreement with experimental observations. We found a metallic ground state. We also present data for the temperature dependence of the specific heat, magnetic susceptibility, and electrical resistivity of CeRhAl. A λ-type peak of an antiferromagnetic phase at 3.80.3em0exK is clearly visible. The CeRhAl compound displays an atomic disorder, which provokes unusual temperature dependences of the magnetic susceptibility and electrical resistivity below 200.3em0exK.