Electrons in Transition Metals at High Temperatures

Abstract

At high temperatures kT may be large compared with the scale on which major changes in the electronic density of states occur near to the Fermi energy E F , particularly for the transition elements. Mott first discussed the qualitative effects of this 'smearing' of the Fermi edge on the electrical resistance and thermopower of Pt, Pd, W, etc. Later Shimizu and colleagues examined the correlations in high-temperature behaviour of different transport properties, electronic heat capacity and susceptibility. Since then improved data have become available, largely through the use of sub-second measuring techniques. Is it now possible to provide a quantitative theoretical framework?