The formation energy of quenched-in vacancies in pure copper

Abstract

The formation energy of quenched-in vacancies in pure copper was studied by resistivity measurements. Various methods were used to heat the specimens. It was found that it was very difficult to prevent copper from dissolving oxygen at elevated temperatures. Once the specimen was contaminated, it was not possible to continue using it because of spurious effects due to impurities. The best technique found was to heat the specimen with electrical current in an inert gas and quench in ice water. Although oil was tried, it appeared not to cause a sufficiently fast quench rate. The formation energy of vacancies in copper was found to be Ef = 1.0 1 + 0.1 ev which is in very good agreement with Germagnolis' result Ef = 1.0 + 0.1 ev(1).