Spin transport (diffusion and ballistic)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion focuses on the modes of spin transport, specifically ballistic and diffusive transport, exploring their definitions and differences. Participants seek clarification on these concepts and relevant references for further reading.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant defines ballistic transport as occurring when the scattering length is large compared to the transport distance, resulting in particles moving in a straight line.
  • The same participant describes diffusion as the behavior of particles when the transport distance is much larger than the scattering length, leading to a random walk due to multiple scattering events.
  • Another participant requests references for further reading on the topic, indicating difficulty in finding suitable sources online.
  • A third participant provides several links to Wikipedia articles and other resources related to ballistic and diffusive transport, questioning the effort made in searching for information.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the definitions of ballistic and diffusive transport, but there is a disagreement regarding the availability and accessibility of references for further understanding.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the definitions of scattering length and transport distance may not be fully explored, and the discussion does not resolve the depth of understanding required for these concepts.

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Can anybody explain in a few words these two modes of spin transport and what are the difference between them. Thanks.
 
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In general, ballistic transport is when the scattering length (mean free path) of the particles is large compared to the transport distance. So the particles move in a straight line from point A to point B.

If you are looking at transport on a length scale much larger than the scattering length, there will be many scattering events, and the particle motion will be more like a random walk (instead of a straight line). This is diffusion.
 
ExcitonPsi said:
In general, ballistic transport is when the scattering length (mean free path) of the particles is large compared to the transport distance. So the particles move in a straight line from point A to point B.

If you are looking at transport on a length scale much larger than the scattering length, there will be many scattering events, and the particle motion will be more like a random walk (instead of a straight line). This is diffusion.


Thanks a lot. Could u please suggest any reference to read. As I googled this question a lot but did not find reference that treats explains this.
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballistic_transport

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diffusion

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mean_free_path

Related ballistic/diffusive transition at Mean Free Path in fluid mechanics is

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knudsen_number

Googling "Spin Transport" and starting on page 11:

http://www.mpipks-dresden.mpg.de/~cord/dresden.pdf

How hard did you look? All these links were on the 1st page of results of Googling "Ballistic Transport", "Diffusive Transport", "Mean Free Path" and "Spin Transport".
 

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