Dynamical Theory of Diffusion in Crystals. IV. Some Aspects of the Introduction of Irreversibility

Abstract

The origin of irreversibility in the phenomenon of crystal diffusion is examined from a dynamical point of view. It is shown that straightforward considerations lead to the establishment of two time scales, one for jumps between lattice sites and one for vibrations about a given lattice point. The dissipation of energy is shown to occur almost entirely by relaxation of ``recaptured'' particles, little energy being lost in the transit across the barrier. The quasi‐equilibrium and nonequilibrium formulations are compared and shown to be quite similar in structure and functional dependence.