Frequency and temperature dependence of ultrasonic attenuation in glassy Pd–Si-based metal alloys

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Abstract
The frequency and temperature dependence of the ultrasonic attenuation in glassy Pd–Si‐based alloys has been measured. In all compositions, the room‐temperature attenuation varies as the square of frequency. A remarkably low loss of 0.06 dB/μsec at 100 MHz for longitudinal waves is observed in alloys containing silver, a loss equal to the lowest value reported for fused silica. Below 300 K, the attenuation in Pd0.775Ag0.06Si0.165 shows a broad peak at about 25 K. This behavior is similar to that noted in chalcogenide glasses. The estimated electronic contribution to attenuation is too small to account for measured values. Present data are insufficient to ascertain what causes this relaxation peak. It may be related to the excess specific heat previously observed in these alloys at low temperatures.