Electronic Raman scattering in metals: effects of electron-phonon coupling

TL;DR

This study presents systematic Raman scattering measurements in various metals, modeling the spectra with density functional theory to estimate electron-phonon coupling constants and relaxation rates, offering a new method for such evaluations.

Contribution

First systematic Raman measurements in elemental metals with theoretical modeling to estimate electron-phonon coupling constants.

Findings

Excellent agreement between measured and calculated spectra.

Method provides an alternative to transport and optical measurements.

Estimates of electron-phonon coupling constants and relaxation rates.

Abstract

We report the first systematic measurements of the Raman scattering by electrons in elemental metals of Al, Mo, Nb, Os, Pb, Re, Ta, Ti, V, W and metallic compound La$B_6$. Experimental spectra are modelled on the base of the band structures, calculated within the density functional theory, taking properly into account the effects of electron-phonon scattering. The agreement between our measured and calculated spectra is excellent for the variety of metals, thus providing estimates for the electron-phonon coupling constants and temperature-dependent relaxation rates. The method can be applied for other metallic materials to evaluate an electron-phonon coupling as an alternative to the transport and optical measurements.