Generalized Stokes-Einstein relation for liquid metals near freezing

Area of Science:

• Condensed matter physics
• Materials science
• Physical chemistry

Background:

• The Stokes-Einstein relation connects self-diffusion (D) and shear viscosity (eta) in liquids.
• Deviations from this relation are observed in liquid metals near their freezing points.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between deviations from the Stokes-Einstein relation and a new parameter (xi).
• To analyze this correlation across various liquid metals using available experimental data.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of experimental data for self-diffusion coefficient (D) and shear viscosity (eta).
• Application of a two-parameter model for D, incorporating the net transit parameter (xi).
• Comparison of theoretical predictions with experimental results for seven liquid metals.

Main Results:

• A clear correlation was found between deviations from the Stokes-Einstein relation and the net transit parameter (xi).
• The correlation holds for most of the seven liquid metals studied.
• Indium (In) was identified as a single exception to this observed correlation.

Conclusions:

• The net transit parameter (xi) provides a valuable metric for understanding deviations from Stokes-Einstein behavior in liquid metals.
• The findings offer insights into the dynamics of liquid metals near the freezing transition.
• Further investigation may be needed to explain the anomalous behavior of indium.