Structural Phase Transition in $CeCuAl_{3}$ Single Crystal

The high temperature properties of $CeCuAl_{3}$ single crystal were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and high-temperature x-ray diffraction. The structural phase transition takes place around 300 °C. The phase transition changes the structural parameters only, the tetragonal $BaNiSn_{3}$-type structure is preserved. The significant changes of lattice parameters and especially atomic fraction coordinates with this transition are discussed with respect to the number of heating/cooling cycles and stability in time. Magnetic properties of as-cast and annealed sample are shown for comparison.