The influence of substitutional atoms upon the electron structure of the iron-based transition metal alloys

Abstract

The influence of the substitutional atoms Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Mo in iron-based alloys on the stability of the crystalline fcc structure and the change of the electron state density at the Fermi surface are studied by means of conduction electron spin resonance (CESR). The temperature dependence of the CESR g-factor and of its integral intensity is measured and analysed in relation to theoretical predictions. It is shown that Cr, Mn and Mo decrease the state density at the Fermi surface in the fcc iron, whereas Ni and Cu increase it. The study singles out the contributions of three electron subsystems (conduction s electrons, localized isolated d electrons and those included in superparamagnetic clusters) to g(T) and traces the important role of substitutional alloying elements in the formation of clusters in fcc solid solution.