ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE OF THE LIQUID ALKALI METALS AND THEIR ALLOYS.
Abstract
The experimental evidence for strong Landau quasiparticle interactions in the alkali metals Na, K, and Cs is reviewed. It is speculated that an electron liquid phase intrudes at electron densities intermediate between those of the high density electron gas and low density Wigner crystal. It is argued that were this the case, there would be ferromagnetism or at least enhanced paramagnetism above the critical point. The binary phase diagrams of the simple metals are reviewed. It is suggested that those phase diagrams involving the alkali metals are anomalous. It is proposed that the anomalies are understandable in terms of the electron gas-electron liquid phase transition if we suppose Li to have a gas-like electron configuration, but Na, K, Rb and Cs to have a liquid-like electron configuration. The phase separation in the molten Li-Na alloy system is then explained as the gas-liquid transition. The alkaline earth metals are difficult to fit into this picture, but the blue-to-bronze phase separation in liquid metal-NH3 solutions offers some support. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1965
- Accession Number
- AD0639209
Entities
People
- Morrel H. Cohen
Organizations
- University of Chicago