Impurity scattering in copper

Abstract

The scattering from impurities in copper is analysed in terms of s, p and d partial waves. The (anisotropic) transition probability between points on the Fermi surface is calculated in terms of scattering phase shifts characterizing the impurity. Maps of the calculated scattering are presented for each phase shift and the corresponding Dingle temperatures are calculated for a variety of orbits seen in the de Haas-van Alphen effect. A procedure developed to calculate the impurity resistivity and anisotropy of the corresponding relaxation time demonstrated the need to use a vector mean free path in such a calculation. The calculated scattering is compared with experimental values in the Cu(Ni), Cu(Fe) and Cu(Al) systems and values derived for the scattering phase shifts.