Lattice spacing relationships and the electronic band structure of close-packed α and ζ phases of gold-based alloys

Abstract

The lattice spacing relationships in the α and ζ alloys based on gold are discussed in the light of previous similar studies. It is shown that the systematic deviations Δa′, Δc′, and Δa, observed in the lattice spacings of the ζ alloys, can be interpreted in terms of the interactions of the Fermi surface with the faces of the Brillouin zone of the c.p.hex. structure. When the present results are viewed in the light of the band structure theory they indicate that, similarly to the interpretation of Cohen and Heine (10), the Fermi surface must be considerably more distorted in the gold-based alloys than in alloys of copper or silver.