title: Derivation of the heat capacity anomaly at a first-order transition by using a semi-adiabatic relaxation technique.
abstract: This paper deals with the problem of determining the heat capacity anomaly associated with a first-order transition when using relaxation calorimetry. A method of data recording and analysis is proposed, which is shown to be well suited to investigate such a feature, including its hysteretical character. This technique is applied to spinel vanadates, allowing us to shed light on a recent controversy about the double-transition which takes place in these oxides.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire CRISMAT, ENSICAEN, Université de Caen, CNRS, 6 Boulevard Maréchal Juin, F-14050 Caen 4, France.
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hardy
authors.forename: Yohann
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bréard
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Martin