Single ion scattering contributions to the thermal conductivity of LiHoF₄ and LiY₉₆%Ho₄%F₄

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We have performed extensive zero-field thermal conductivity measurements on single crystal samples of and below 2.3 K. By comparing these data to a single ion scattering model, we have shown that the thermal conductivity of is dominated by simple single-ion scattering while that of shows additional contributions, possibly associated with collective spin excitations. No entirely satisfactory model, however, is available to explain the thermal conductivity of the ferromagnet.