  To assess electron correlation and electron-phonon coupling in the recently
discovered beta-pyrochlores KOs2O6 and RbOs2O6, we have performed specific heat
measurements in magnetic fields up to 14 T. We present data from high quality
single crystalline KOs2O6, showing that KOs2O6 is a strong coupling
superconductor with a coupling parameter lambda_ep \approx 1.0 to 1.6 (RbOs2O6:
lambda_ep \approx 1). The estimated Sommerfeld coefficient of KOs2O6, gamma=76
to 110 mJ/(mol K^2), is twice that of RbOs2O6 [gamma=44 mJ/(mol K^2)]. Using
strong-coupling corrections, we extract useful thermodynamic parameters of
KOs2O6. Quantifying lambda_ep allows us to determine the mass enhancement over
the calculated band electronic density of states. A significant contribution in
addition to the electron-phonon term of lambda_c=1.7 to 4.3 is deduced. In an
effort to understand the origin of the enhancement mechanism, we also
investigate an unusual energetically low-lying phonon. There are three phonon
modes per RbOs2O6, suggestive of the phonon source being the rattling motion of
the alkali ion. This dynamic instability of the alkali ions causes large
scattering of the charge carriers which shows up in an unusual temperature
dependence of the electrical resistivity.
