Low-Temperature Specific Heats of Alloys Based on the Noble Metals, Cu, Ag, Au:ζ-Phase Ag-Sn Alloys

Abstract

Heat-capacity measurements have been made between 1.6 and 4.2°K on a series of Ag-Sn hcp $\zeta$-phase alloys. It is inferred from the results that the density of states at the Fermi surface in this alloy phase is higher than in the preceding $\alpha$-phase solid solution, and that it has a maximum at about 1.53 electrons per atom. A possible explanation of the data is presented in terms of interactions between the Fermi surface and the Brillouin zone.