SORET EFFECT IN SOLIDS

Thermal diffusion in solids is studied for a one-component system by the path probability method of irreversible statistical mechanics based on the vacancy mechanism from the atomistic point of view. The treatment allows a microscopic description of so far controversial concepts such as the heat of transport and leads to analytical expressions of the Soret effect. Concentration gradient or thermoelectric effect (in ionic conductors) created as a response to the temperature gradient was found to be proportional to the energy minus enthalpy of transport (E* minus H*) rather than to the heat of transport Q* ( equals E* minus mu , where mu is the chemical potential.