Conduction in amorphous magnesium-bismuth alloys

The preparation of amorphous alloys of Mg-Bi by vapour quenching of the constituent elements is described. The electrical conductivity and thermoelectric power of the alloys as a function of temperature and composition are discussed, particular attention being given to the behaviour near the intermetallic compound (Mg3Bi2) composition. Here the properties are found to be in agreement with a model of localized electron states, with the electrons moving by thermally activated hopping.