Theory of the Residual Resistivity Anomaly in Potassium

Abstract

The induced-torque experiments of Holroyd and Datars show evidence for an anomalous anisotropy in the residual resistance of potassium of about five to one. We show that this is consistent with the hypothesis that the conduction electrons are in a static charge-density-wave state. The importance of torque and de Haas-van Alphen experiments on the same specimen is emphasized.