Theory of Plasma Waves in Metals

Peter A. Wolff

doi:10.1103/PhysRev.92.18

Access by Xinjiang University

Theory of Plasma Waves in Metals

Peter A. Wolff

Bell Telephone Laboratories, Murray Hil, New Jersey

PDF

Phys. Rev. 92, 18 – Published 1 October, 1953

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRev.92.18

Abstract

The Hartree approximation is used to investigate the effect of the crystal lattice on plasma oscillations in metals. The plasma frequency is given by $ω^{2} = 4 π e^{2} n_{0} 〈 \frac{1}{{m_{z}}^{*}} 〉$ , where the average is over filled electron states. For free electrons this equation reduces to that given by Bohm and Gross: for insulators $〈 \frac{1}{{m_{z}}^{*}} 〉 = 0$ and there are no oscillations.

In metals with occupied $d$ bands, such as Cu, Ni, and Ag, there is a strong coupling between the plasma wave and the $d$ electrons which gives rise to frequency broadening. This explains why the plasma lines observed by Ruthemann and Lang are so much wider in these elements than in Be or Al. Further confirmation of this mechanism could be obtained by repeating their experiments on the transition metals Sc—Ni.

References (15)

G. Ruthemann, Ann. Phys. 2, 113 (1948)
W. Lang, Optik 3, 233 (1948)
D. Pines and D. Bohm, Phys. Rev. 83, 221 (1951) ibid.85, 338 (1952)
D. R. Hartree, Cambridge Phil. Soc. 24, 89 (1928)
D. Bohm and E. P. Gross, Phys. Rev. 75, 1851 and 1864 (1949)
Omitted endnote
G. H. Wannier, Phys. Rev. 52, 191 (1937)
J. C. Slater, Phys. Rev. 76, 1952 (1949)
R. A. Silverman and W. Kohn, Phys. Rev. 80, 912 (1950)
V. Fock, Z. Physik 61, 126 (1930)
C. Herring (private communication)
E. N. Adams, II, Phys. Rev. 85, 41 (1952)
R. S. Minor, Ann. Physik 10, 581 (1903)
W. Meier, Ann. Physik 31, 101 (1910)
D. R. Hartree, Proc. Roy. Soc. (London) 157, 490 (1936)

[c1] G. Ruthemann, Ann. Phys. 2, 113 (1948)

[c2] W. Lang, Optik 3, 233 (1948)

[c3] D. Pines and D. Bohm, Phys. Rev. 83, 221 (1951) ibid.85, 338 (1952)

[c4] D. R. Hartree, Cambridge Phil. Soc. 24, 89 (1928)

[c5] D. Bohm and E. P. Gross, Phys. Rev. 75, 1851 and 1864 (1949)

[c6] Omitted endnote

[c7] G. H. Wannier, Phys. Rev. 52, 191 (1937)

[c8] J. C. Slater, Phys. Rev. 76, 1952 (1949)

[c9] R. A. Silverman and W. Kohn, Phys. Rev. 80, 912 (1950)

[c10] V. Fock, Z. Physik 61, 126 (1930)

[c11] C. Herring (private communication)

[c12] E. N. Adams, II, Phys. Rev. 85, 41 (1952)

[c13] R. S. Minor, Ann. Physik 10, 581 (1903)

[c14] W. Meier, Ann. Physik 31, 101 (1910)

[c15] D. R. Hartree, Proc. Roy. Soc. (London) 157, 490 (1936)

Physical Review Journals Archive

Export citation

Export citation

Theory of Plasma Waves in Metals

Abstract

References (15)

Outline

Information

Filter

Filter

Article Lookup

Enter a citation