Thermodynamics of CeNiSn at low temperature and in weak magnetic field

Experimental and theoretical description of low-temperature spin-liquid con tribution to the thermal expansion and magnetostriction of Kondo-lattice co mpound CeNiSn is presented. Together with the previously published interpre tation of inelastic neutron scattering spectra and low-temperature specific heat, these studies give the consistent picture of low-T thermodynamics of a Kondo lattice whose properties are determined by the interplay between t he spin-liquid excitations and the soft crystal-held excitations. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.