Crystal-field and clustering effects in the specific heat of Dy in Pd

Recent results of specific-heat measurements on dilute alloys of Dy in Pd are reanalyzed. Assuming the ionic ground state found from paramagnetic- resonance measurements, the Schottky-anomaly and cluster contributions are segregated and the crystal-field splitting of the ground and first-excited states is found to be in reasonable agreement with theoretical predictions. The nature of the cluster contribution is discussed and an upper limit to the range of the Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida interaction deduced. (auth)