Generalized theory of diffusion based on kinetic theory

T. Schäfer
Phys. Rev. A 94, 043644 – Published 26 October 2016

Abstract

We propose to use spin hydrodynamics, a two-fluid model of spin propagation, as a generalization of the diffusion equation. We show that in the dense limit spin hydrodynamics reduces to Fick's law and the diffusion equation. In the opposite limit spin hydrodynamics is equivalent to a collisionless Boltzmann treatment of spin propagation. Spin hydrodynamics avoids unphysical effects that arise when the diffusion equation is used to describe to a strongly interacting gas with a dilute corona. We apply spin hydrodynamics to the problem of spin diffusion in a trapped atomic gas. We find that the observed spin relaxation rate in the high-temperature limit [Sommer et al., Nature (London) 472, 201 (2011)] is consistent with the diffusion constant predicted by kinetic theory.

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  • Received 12 September 2016

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.94.043644

©2016 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Atomic, Molecular & OpticalStatistical Physics & Thermodynamics

Authors & Affiliations

T. Schäfer

  • Department of Physics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, USA

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Issue

Vol. 94, Iss. 4 — October 2016

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