New type of quantum oscillations in noble metals

Results on magnetothermopower alpha(B) of Cu and Ag single crystals in stro ng magnetic fields B are reported. Oscillations appear in the field depende nce of alpha(B) beginning with B greater than or equal to 13 T. The frequen cy of the oscillations cannot be related to the known cross-sections of the Fermi surface of a-electrons. These peculiarities can be explained in term s of a restricted participation of d-electrons in the conductivity of noble metals. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.