Theory of electronic transport in random alloys: Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker coherent-potential approximation

The Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker coherent-potential approximation is a powerful and versatile tool for calculating the single-particle properties of disordered alloys. Here this technique is extended to transport properties. The formalism is based on the one-electron Kubo formula. It yields correct results in the limits of weak scattering or low concentration, i.e., the solution to the Boltzmann equation including vertex corrections. Transport coefficients can also be easily evaluated in the strong-scattering, high-concentration regime where the Boltzmann equation is not valid. The structure of the formalism is displayed by applying it to a one-dimensional muffin-tin model alloy.