The Thermal Conductivity of Pure Metals at Low Temperatures According to the Free Electron Theory

Abstract

The paper discusses the validity of Sondheimer's (1950) variational method of solving the integral (Bloch) equation for the distribution of free electrons, interacting with lattice vibrations, in the case of thermal conduction at low temperatures. This equation is solved numerically, and it is found that the resulting thermal conductivity is about 11 per cent. larger than the value calculated by Sondheimer.