The radio frequency size effect in cadmium

Abstract

The phonon limited mean free path has been measured in cadmium using the limiting point method. The measurements are on the lens part of the Fermi surface and extend from (0001) to (1010) in the (1120) plane. The mean free path varies approximately as T⁵ except near (1010) where the temperature dependence is T⁶ or even T⁷. A model has been proposed, which accounts for the experimental results over much of the (1120) plane. This model takes account of elastic anisotropy and distinguishes between electrons rendered ineffective by a single phonon scattering event and those rendered ineffective by multiple scattering events. The model should be applicable to any metal over a wide temperature range.