HYSTERESIS EFFECT IN THE ALPHA-BETA TRANSITION OF SOLID OXYGEN

Results of the heat capacity measurements of solid oxygen in the regio n of the alpha-beta transition are presented. Using the methods of the highest (i.e. better than 1 mK) accuracy of temperature determination , we have found a presence of the latent heat (90 J mol(-1)) and the h ysteresis effect in the transition. Moreover, we discovered that the s harp peak of the heat capacity in the alpha-beta transition has a temp erature width of about 50 mK, being com posed of two maxima separated by the value of about 20 mK. (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Limited