On the spin-flip scattering of conduction electrons in small Li-Na particles studied by CESR

A reinterpretation is presented of recent results (Chizhov et al. 1982) on the conduction electron spin resonance (CESR) linewidths recorded from small lithium particles to which small levels c of sodium impurities have been added. This reanalysis demonstrates good agreement with contemporary understanding of interface spin scattering in bimetallic, layered, systems. It is shown that the sodium segregates out to the surface of the lithium particles. A maximum of three atomic layers of sodium on the surface gives rise to the observed spin-flip probability of the lithium conduction electrons at the surface, ϵ obs , being equal to ϵ Na where ϵ Na is the surface spin-flip probability for the sodium-vacuum interface. We approximate, for sufficient sodium impurities, ϵ obs = ϵ Na to σ sf , Li (Na)/ σ r , Li (Na) where σ sf , Li (Na) and σ r , Li (Na) are the spin-flip and resistivity scattering cross sections respectively for Na impurities in Li. From this relationship it is predicted that the amount of CESR linewidth broadening due to dissolved Na, is ΔB i (Na)/ c = 0.11 mT/at.%.