CeCo$_{1-x}$Fe$_{x}$Ge$_{3}$ -- crystal electric field effects and fine tuning around critical substitution

In this article we present some particularly important issues regarding the CeCo$_{1-x}$Fe$_{x}$Ge$_{3}$ alloys. Firstly, the electrical resistivity below 2 K, down to 500 mK is studied to confirm the non-Fermi-liquid behavior around the critical substitution range x~0.65. Secondly, the scheme of the crystal electric field (CEF) levels has been investigated employing methods like inelastic neutron scattering, specific heat, and magnetic susceptibility. It aims to clarify different reports on the parent CeCoGe$_{3}$ compound and to provide first data concerning CEF in the entire CeCo$_{1-x}$Fe$_{x}$Ge$_{3}$ series. Third, the effect of hydrogenation, especially around the quantum critical point (QCP) (x~0.65) is verified.