T²terms in the electrical resistivity of the noble metals: evidence for contributions from the surface

Abstract

The authors have analysed existing resistivity data on Cu, Ag and Au by looking at the variation of the resistivity as a function of temperature and specimen size. Evidence is found for an additional temperature dependence due to surface effects, particularly in the case of specular scattering. A T2 like behaviour induced by the size is observed. The coefficient of T2 can amount to (5/d)f Omega cm K-2 (d is the reduced thickness in cm). Therefore surface scattering should be accounted for if the electron-electron contribution to the resistivity is to be measured correctly.