The Resistivity of Lanthanum, Cerium, Praseodymium, and Neodymium at Low Temperatures

Abstract

The electrical resistivity of lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, and neodymium metals from room temperature to 2.2°K is presented. The h.c.p. modification of lanthanum is found to possess a higher resistivity than the f.c.c. The mean of the observed superconducting transition temperatures for lanthanum is 5.8°K. Anomalies in the resistivity of cerium which occur at liquid nitrogen temperatures and between 11 and 14° K are discussed in connection with the crystal structure. An anomaly in the resistivity of neodymium occurs at approximately 12°K.