Cyclotron Resonance in Silver

Abstract

Azbel'-Kaner-type cyclotron resonance has been used to examine the Fermi surface of silver. The types of resonances observed from a (110)-surface sample are very like those reported for copper. Resonances originating from orbits about the zone contact regions have been observed over a limited range of angles. Relatively strong signals have been obtained from orbits near the limiting points when the field lies nearly parallel to the [001] direction of the (110) surface. The two orbits reported in copper whose centers lie neither at the center nor the edge of the zone have been observed, and in addition a third orbit of this type has been identified and measured over a large range of angles. Data taken on a (100)-surface specimen (not available in the copper studies) have shown resonances due to both hole and electron orbits; these resonances are consistent with the previous knowledge of the geometry of the Fermi surface. The effect on cyclotron resonance signals of a magnetic field inclined with respect to the specimen surface has been investigated. Apparent shifts in the measured cyclotron mass as large as 50% per degree of field misalignment have been obtained. The similarity of a number of the signals to the peak-reversal phenomena observed in potassium and aluminum is discussed. Certain of the signals in fields inclined at large angles to the surface have yielded a measure of the neck size in excellent agreement with de Haas-van Alphen measurements.