Phonon Density of States in MgB{sub 2}

Journal Article · Mon Jul 02 00:00:00 EDT 2001 · Physical Review Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.87.017005· OSTI ID:40204736

Osborn, R; Goremychkin, E A; Kolesnikov, A I; Hinks, D G

We report inelastic neutron scattering measurements of the phonon density of states in Mg <hspace SPACE=''-0.167''>{sup 11}B{sub 2} , which has a superconducting transition at 39.2K. The acoustic phonons extend in energy to 36meV, and there are highly dispersive optic branches peaking at 54, 78, 89, and 97meV. A simple Born{endash}von K{grave a}rm{grave a}n model reproduces the mode energies, and provides an estimate of the electron-phonon coupling of {lambda}{similar_to}0.9 . Furthermore, the estimated boron and magnesium contributions to the isotope effect are in qualitative agreement with experiment. The data confirm that a conventional phonon mechanism, with moderately strong electron-phonon coupling, can explain the observed superconductivity.

• Sponsoring Organization: (US)
• OSTI ID: 40204736
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Vol. 87, Issue 1; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.87.017005; Othernumber: PRLTAO000087000001017005000001; 048126PRL; PBD: 2 Jul 2001; ISSN 0031-9007
• Publisher: The American Physical Society
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
ACOUSTICS
BORON
ELECTRON-PHONON COUPLING
ISOTOPE EFFECTS
MAGNESIUM
NEUTRONS
OPTICS
PHONONS
SCATTERING
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY