Calculated low-field Hall coefficient ofAgxPd1−xalloys

Alloy energy bands and electron lifetimes were calculated for ${\mathrm{Ag}}_x{\mathrm{Pd}}_{1-x}$ alloys by using a charge self-consistent version of the Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker coherent-potential approximation. These results were used to calculate the low-field Hall coefficient as a function of concentration. The calculated Hall coefficients are in good agreement with experiment. Some commonly used approximations for the Hall coefficient are found to be inapplicable to ${\mathrm{Ag}}_x{\mathrm{Pd}}_{1-x}$ alloys. In particular the Hall coefficient is not simply related to the number of carriers, nor is the Hall coefficient independent of the electron lifetime. Instead, the Hall coefficient is strongly enhanced by the anisotropy of the lifetime in the palladium-rich alloys. At higher temperatures the Hall coefficient of the palladium-rich alloys decreases because electron-phonon scattering makes the electron lifetime more isotropic.