Mooij Rule and Weak Localization

TL;DR

This paper explains the Mooij rule, which links the sign of the temperature derivative of resistivity in high-resistive metallic alloys to weak localization effects, clarifying the underlying physics of this observed correlation.

Contribution

It provides a theoretical explanation for the Mooij rule by incorporating weak localization effects into the understanding of resistivity behavior in metallic alloys.

Findings

Negative dρ/dT for alloys with resistivity 300-150 μΩ·cm

Positive dρ/dT for alloys with lower resistivity

Resistivity behavior linked to electron mean free path near interatomic distance

Abstract

It has been shown that the observed correlation between the resistivity $\rho$ of high-resistive metallic alloys and the sign of the temperature derivative $d\rho/dT$ can be explained by taking into account the weak localization. This correlation is known as Mooij rule: the derivative $d\rho/dT$ is negative for alloys with resistivity in the range of $300\div150\,\mu\Omega\cdot$cm, which corresponds to the electron mean free path about the interatomic distance; however, this derivative is positive for alloys with lower resistivity.