Electron-phonon scattering times for aluminum

The electron–phonon scattering times in pure aluminum vary with position on the Fermi surface. There are several sources of this anisotropy. Perhaps the most obvious, but not necessarily the most important, is the distortions of the Fermi surface from a sphere. Another results from the anisotropy in the electron–phonon interaction and in the phonon spectrum. We have calculated the effect on the electron–phonon scattering times of this latter source of anisotropy. We find large variations over the Fermi surface. As the temperature is increased the anisotropy reduces but it is still significant even above 100 K.