AC-calorimetry at high pressure and low temperature

Recent developments of the AC-calorimetric technique adapted for the needs of high pressure experiments are discussed. A semi-quantitative measurement of the specific heat with a Bridgman-type of pressure cell as well as a diamond anvil cell is possible in the temperature range 0.1 K < T < 10 K. The pressure transmitting medium used to ensure good pressure conditions determines to a great extent via its thermal conductivity the operating frequency and thus the accessible temperature range. Investigations with different pressure transmitting media for T > 1.5 K reveal for solid He a cut-off frequency which is considerably higher than for steatite. Experiments below 1 K and pressures above 10 GPa clearly show that the pressure dependence of the linear temperature coefficient of the specific heat can be measured. It is in qualitative agreement to a related quantity obtained quasi-simultaneously by electrical resistivity measurements on the same sample.