Matter transport in solids

Abstract

This article reviews the transport of atoms through crystalline solids under the influence of external electric fields, chemical and isotopic concentration gradients and thermal gradients. The main emphasis is on the statistical and thermodynamic description of these phenomena via the theory of mobile lattice imperfections - vacancies and interstitial atoms. In discussing the various phenomena in detail (§ 5) extensive use is made of non-equilibrium thermodynamics as providing a convenient general formalism. Particular attention is given wherever possible to the physical interpretation of the descriptions provided by this formalism.