The transport properties of rubidium, and electron–electron scattering

Abstract

The electrical resistivity, thermal conductivity, and thermoelectric power of Rb have been measured between 40 and 300 K. Two of the samples were bare, to avoid thermal contraction difficulties; the softness of these samples necessitated further, calibration, measurements on a third sample in glass, just below the freezing point. The electrical resistivity values agree well with published values of Dugdale and Phillips. The Lorenz function, not previously examined in detail above 25 K, shows strong evidence of electron–electron scattering, of a strength intermediate to that calculated by Kukkonen for Thomas–Fermi screening, and for Geldart–Taylor screening. Such scattering appears to have affected the thermoelectric power as well.