Quantum criticality near the upper critical field of Ce₂PdIn₈

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We report low-temperature specific heat measurements in magnetic fields up to 12 T applied parallel and perpendicular to the tetragonal c-axis of the heavy fermion superconductor Ce₂PdIn₈. In contrast to its quasi-two-dimensional (2D) relative CeCoIn₅, the system displays an almost isotropic upper critical field. While there is no indication for a FFLO phase in Ce₂PdIn₈, the data suggest a smeared weak first-order superconducting transition close to Hc₂≈ 2 T. The normal state electronic specific heat coefficient displays logarithmically divergent behavior, comparable to CeCoIn₅ and in agreement with 2D quantum criticality of spin-density-wave type.