Discussion of a new theory of electrical resistivity

Abstract

A discussion is given of the details of our work, the results of which have recently been presented, in connection with the role of projection techniques in the theory of electrical resistivity. It is shown that, contrary to earlier claims, the correct evaluation of the resistivity to the lowest order in the strength of the scattering on the basis of this theory requires, as do other formal expressions, the summation of an infinite number of terms. This leads to the standard expression for the conductivity in terms of the distribution function obtained from the well-known integral transport equation. It is shown in complete generality that the evaluation of this new expression for the electrical resistivity is equivalent to that given by the method of kinetic equations.