Ultrasonic Attenuation in Bismuth at Low Temperatures

The attenuation of ultrasonic waves in bismuth has been measured at frequencies between 12 and 84 Mc/sec for various orientations. The magnetic field dependence of the attenuation at low temperatures exhibits three distinct oscillatory components and a saturation region at fields between 5 and 1600 oersteds. A simple interpretation of the salient features of the observations is presented. In particular, the effective mass parameters of the electrons have been determined from the periods of the geometric resonance and de Haas-van Alphen oscillations. A method of measuring the maximum Fermi velocity in a given direction is described, and the results of such a measurements are used to determine an independent value of the Fermi energy. Some data on the temperature and frequency dependence of the zero-field attenuation are included.

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