Phonon linewidths and electron-phonon interaction in Nb

Journal Article · Sun Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · Phys. Rev., Sect. B. Condens. Matter; (United States)

OSTI ID:6298153

Bulter, W H; Pinski, F J; Allen, P B

We present first-principles calculations of the electron-phonon contribution to the phonon linewidth in Nb. The calculations employ a realistic band structure and the rigid-muffin-tin approximation for the electron-phonon matrix elements. The calculations predict strong electron-phonon coupling for longitudinal phonons propagating in the (110) direction, and for longitudinal phonons of momentum q = 0.7(2..pi../a)(100). The origins of these peaks in the linewidth are discussed in terms of the joint Fermi-energy density of states and the symmetry properties of the electron-phonon matrix elements. Our results are in agreement with available experimental data concerning the mode and q dependence of the phonon linewidth and with empirical values of the electron-phonon coupling constant lambda.

• Research Organization: Metals and Ceramics Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830
• OSTI ID: 6298153
• Journal Information: Phys. Rev., Sect. B. Condens. Matter; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev., Sect. B. Condens. Matter; (United States) Vol. 19:7; ISSN PRBMD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360104* -- Metals & Alloys-- Physical Properties
ELECTRON-PHONON COUPLING
ELEMENTS
LATTICE VIBRATIONS
METALS
MUFFIN-TIN POTENTIAL
NIOBIUM
PHONONS
POTENTIALS
QUASI PARTICLES
REFRACTORY METALS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS