Thermo-electricity at low temperatures I. The ‘ideal’ metals: sodium, potassium, copper

Abstract

Following a short discussion of the present situation in the electron theory of metals with particular reference to thermo-electricity, experimental data on thermo-electricity at low temperatures is presented and discussed. The three elements—sodium, potassium and copper—have been chosen first as being frequently considered to be ‘quasi-ideal’ metals. The influence of impurities has also been studied particularly in potassium-rubidium and dilute copper-tin alloys. It appears that the theory at present leaves much to be desired, but in any case considerable information on the fundamentals of electron scattering in metals can be obtained from these experimental studies.