Premium
On the Theory of Thermally Activated Processes
Author(s) -
Geszti T.
Publication year - 1967
Publication title -
physica status solidi (b)
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.51
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1521-3951
pISSN - 0370-1972
DOI - 10.1002/pssb.19670200115
Subject(s) - thermalisation , diffusion , statistical physics , physics , thermal equilibrium , character (mathematics) , thermodynamics , classical mechanics , mathematics , geometry
Abstract The range of validity of “rate theory” is investigated and a clear distinction is made between “directional” and complete thermalization. It is suggested that the first process determines the hopping character of the motion, while the second determines whether the usual quasi‐equilibrium description is applicable. Macroscopic diffusion is shown always to obey “rate theory”, while frequency‐dependent dielectric or anelastic loss may shown non‐equilibrium effects. In the case in which complete thermalization is slow (although directional thermalization may be fast) a succession of Lorentzian peaks is obtained instead of the single peak predicted by rate theory. Qualitative dynamic conditions are presented for slow thermalization behaviour.