Synchrotron x-ray diffraction shows that, while Cu 6 Sn 5 exists as η′ at 25 and 150 C and
transforms to η on heating to 200 C, Cu 5.5 Ni 0.5 Sn 5 is best fit to η throughout 25–200
C. Our first principles calculations predict that η′ is stable at T= 0 K in both Cu 6 Sn 5 and
Cu 5.5 Ni 0.5 Sn 5, but that the energy difference is substantially reduced from 1.21 to 0.90
eV per 22 atom cell by the Ni addition. This effect is attributed to Ni developing distinct …