Ultrasonic Attenuation in Zinc Single Crystals at Low Temperatures

Abstract

The ultrasonic attenuation in zinc single crystals were studied in the temperature range from 4.2°K to 300°K. In pure zinc specimen, three peaks were observed in the attenuation, temperature curves. The peaks were named P₁, P₂ and P₃ in the order from lower to higher temperature. P₁, P₂ and P₃ were observed in the attenuation of the longitudinal wave along the direction 43.25° to c-axis and the shear wave parallel to the basal plane. On the other hand, only P₃ was observed in the attenuation of the longitudinal waves travelling perpendicular to the basal plane. The relaxation processes appearing in the form of P₁, P₂ and P₃ peaks were interpreted to be associated with the dislocation movement in the basal plane, prismatic plane and pyramidal plane, respectively. A theory of relaxation process in terms of formation of a pair of kinks is proposed.