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Low-temperature specific-heat experiments on ␦-Pu stabilized by Ce give the value of the Sommerfeld coefficient ␥ in the close vicinity of 40 mJ/ mol K 2 . The most precise data set for Pu-6.1 at. % Ce yields ␥ = ͑41.5Ϯ 0.5͒ mJ/ mol K 2 and the Debye temperature D = ͑103.0Ϯ 0.5 K͒. As Ce is in a compressed ␣-Ce state, major contribution to the ␥ value comes from the Pu states. Theoretical calculations suggest that the 5f 6 admixture in the 5f 5 ground state is responsible for the high-␥ value. Although the 5f states are not present at the Fermi level, low-energy excitations due to transitions of the 5f 6 → 5f 5 type contribute to the spectral density around the Fermi level.

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