The low-temperature specific heat of pseudo-single-crystal and polycrystalline α uranium

Low-temperature specific-heat measurements have been made on two samples of pseudo-single-crystal α uranium. Both show the expected first-order transitions of 23 K and 37 K and the second-order transition at 40 k. One pseudo-single crystal was re-measured after heat treatment to produce a fine, randomly orientated grain structure, and gave data showing modified transitions; after more drastic heat treatment, further refining and randomizing the grain structures, it showed no sign of either of the two first-order transitions. A comparison between the specific-heat data for the pseudo-single crystal and the subsequent heat-treated sample permits a determination of the latent heat involved in the various transitions. (author)