Magnetization of the heavy fermion system Ce 1-xGd xAl 3for x = 0 - 0.005

The effect of dilute Gd magnetic impurities on the magnetization of the heavy fermion system Ce _{1- x}Gd _xAl ₃ with 0 ⩽ x ⩽ 0.005 for temperatures in the range 2.5 K ⩽ T ⩽ 300 K and for magnetic fields H ⩽20 kOe is reported. The Gd impurity contribution obeys a Curie law with an effective moment close to the Gd ³⁺ free ion value below 50 K. Evidence is presented that the addition of Gd also enhances the host CeAl ₃ susceptibility by (6.9 ± 2.0)% for 0.5% Gd at 300 K.