Point-contact function of the electron-phonon interaction in zirconium

TL;DR

This study uses point-contact spectroscopy to analyze the electron-phonon interaction spectra of zirconium, identifying phonon features and noting anisotropy effects in the spectra.

Contribution

First detailed measurement of zirconium's electron-phonon spectral function using point-contact spectroscopy, including analysis of homocontacts and heterocontacts.

Findings

Identified five phonon features at specific energies.

Observed no contribution from Cu, Ag, or Au in heterocontacts.

Attributed spectral diversity to zirconium's anisotropy.

Abstract

Experimental study of the electron-phonon interaction (EPI) spectra of zirconium was carried out using Yanson's point-contact (PC) spectroscopy. The EPI spectral function and constant were determined. Both homocontacts ($Zr-Zr$) and heterocontacts ($Zr-Cu$, $Zr-Ag$, and $Zr-Au$) were studied. No contribution by copper, silver or gold to the heterocontact spectra was detected. The positions of five phonon features of the EPI function were observed at energies 5-6, 9-11, 13-15, 18-20, and 27-29 $meV$. The observed diversity of the PC spectra was attributed to the anisotropy of $Zr$. pacs{71.38.-k, 73.40.Jn, 74.25.Kc, 74.45.+c}