Spin-Flip Scattering of Conduction Electrons from Impurities in Molten Sodium

Abstract

We have determined the spin-flip scattering cross sections of four impurities (Bi, Pt, Pd, and Ag) dissolved in sodium metal from conduction-electron spin-resonance measurements. Solubility problems, encountered in previous unsuccessful attempts to observe effects from these impurities, were surmounted by going into the molten state. The cross section for bismuth is of particular interest since Ferrell and Prange have proposed that it serves as a crucial test of their "resonance hypothesis" theory. In addition to scattering cross sections, the equilibrium solubilities of Bi and Pd in Na have been determined as a function of temperature. These curves are used to calculate the entropy and enthalpy of solution.