Multi-Step Magnetic Phase Transition in $CeRh_3Si_2$ Studied by Specific Heat Measurements

High-quality single crystal of a novel cerium silicide $CeRh_3Si_2$, crystallizing with the orthorhombic $ErRh_3Si_2$-type structure, was grown by the Czochralski pulling method and studied by means of specific heat measurements. The antiferromagnetic ordering of the compound manifests itself as a pronounced lambda-shaped anomaly at $T_N$ = 4.72(3) K, and is followed by a spike-shaped anomaly due to spin reorientation at $T_t$ = 4.48(2) K, in good agreement with the previously reported magnetic susceptibility data. Both transitions are very sensitive to applied magnetic field - they split into four separate anomalies, which independently shift to lower temperatures with rising field. Several scenarios are proposed as possible explanations of the multi-step character of the magnetic ordering in $CeRh_3Si_2$.