Electron transport properties of non-magnetic metallic glasses

Abstract

We show that the temperature dependences of electrical resistivity in non-magnetic metallic glasses below 300 K can be, in principle, classified into five representative types, depending on the electronic structure at E_F and the magnitude of resistivity. The scattering mechanism responsible for the respective ϱ-T characteristics is discussed. The generalized Faber-Ziman theory is valid in metallic glasses having E_F in the sp band, as long as the resistivity is below about 200 μΩ cm and the temperature is above about 20 K. However, the d-electron conduction, coupled with lattice vibrations, is significant in those containing an appreciable amount of d electrons at E_F.