Abstract
The electron quantum interference phenomenon was used to determine the effects of substitutional alloying upon the quantum-state lifetime τ and band gapsE g at the Fermi energy in single crystals of pure Mg. Vapor-grown alloys containing either Zn or Cd in concentrationsC∼0.3–15 ppm were studied. The magnetic field dependence of the interference oscillation amplitudes for these samples indicates reductions in τ and significant increases inE g relative to pure Mg (impurity concentration ∼10−8). Within experimental accuracy the observed quantum-state lifetime satisfies the relation τ−1=αC, with α∼2.7×1010 sec−1 per ppm of Cd and α∼2×1011 sec−1 per ppm of Zn. The band gap corresponding to Bragg reflection from the (0001) plane of the hcp structure (which in pure Mg arises solely from spin-orbit coupling) was found to increase by more than a factor of two upon the addition of only ∼10 ppm Cd to Mg. These results are discussed within the framework of the pseudopotential theory of alloying. It is shown that there are discrepancies of more than three orders of magnitude between the experimental and theoretical values forE g and of about one order of magnitude for τ in these dilute-limit alloys.
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Work supported by the National Science Foundation.
Submitted to the Department of Physics, the University of Chicago in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
Fannie and John Hertz Foundation Fellow.
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Friedberg, C.B. Effects of alloying in the dilute limit on the quantum states of electrons in magnesium. J Low Temp Phys 14, 147–174 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00654815
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00654815