The relaxation time of conduction electrons in the noble met

Abstract

The Boltzmann equation for scattering by impurities and lattice vibrations is solved numerically for a metal having a multiply-connected Fermi surface. It is found that the relaxation time for scattering by lattice vibrations at high temperatures or by impurities is approximately constant over the Fermi surface. For scattering by lattice vibrations at low temperatures the relaxation time is highly anisotropic. These results are consistent with the experimental values of the electrical conductivity but cannot predict a positive thermo ­ electric power.