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Low-Temperature Transport Properties of the Alkali Metals. II. The Transport Coefficients

Journal Article · · Proceedings of the Royal Society. A. Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences

A previous theory is applied to the direct calculation of the ideal'' electrical and thermal resistivities and phonon drag'' thermoelectric power of the alkali metals. All 3 coefficients depend, in magnitude and as functions of temperature, on the Fermi surface shape and on the lattice spectrum. If it is assumed that the latter is identical in form for all the metals in the group, the observed transport coefficients are consistent with a Fermi surface which is distorted in lithium, becomes nearly spherical in sodium and potassium, and is again distorted in rubidium and cesium. The argument is not sufficiently accurate to discriminate between s-like and p-like symmetry in each case, nor to decide whether the Fermi surface actually touches the zone boundary; the phonon drag effect is also very sensitive to the purity of the specimen.

Research Organization:
Cambridge Univ., Eng.
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
NSA Number:
NSA-16-002367
OSTI ID:
4832930
Journal Information:
Proceedings of the Royal Society. A. Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, Journal Name: Proceedings of the Royal Society. A. Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences Journal Issue: 1316 Vol. 264; ISSN 1364-5021
Publisher:
The Royal Society Publishing
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English