The Lattice Thermal Conductivity of Some Gold Alloys

Abstract

The electrical and thermal conductivities of the following gold alloys have been measured from 2 to 90 oK: Au-0·7 per cent. Pt, Au-l·6 per cent. Pt, Au-l·g per cent. Pt, Au-0·65 per cent. Cr, and Au-6'2per cent. Cr. Their lattice thermal conductivities have been deduced and the effects of annealing studied. It is found that in well-annealed dilute alloys, the lattice conductivity at liquid helium temperatures approaches a value consistent with theoretical predictions. It appears that increasing solute content causes an increasing dislocation density, which cannot be reduced substantially by annealing. This effect is more pronounced in the case of the chromium alloys. The lattice thermal conductivities at liquid oxygen temperatures compared with theory reveal numerical discrepancies, similar to those found in copper alloys.