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Fractional generalization of Fick's law: a microscopic approach

Journal Article · · Physical Review Letters

In the study of transport in inhomogeneous systems it is common to construct transport equations invoking the inhomogeneous Fick law. The validity of this approach requires that at least two ingredients be present in the system. First, finite characteristic length and time scales associated to the dominant transport process must exist. Secondly, the transport mechanism must satisfy a microscopic symmetry: global reversibility. Global reversibility is often satisfied in nature. However, many complex systems exhibit a lack of finite characteristic scales. In this Letter we show how to construct a generalization of the inhomogeneous Fick law that does not require the existence of characteristic scales while still satisfying global reversibility.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
Sponsoring Organization:
ORNL LDRD Director's R&D
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-00OR22725
OSTI ID:
932091
Journal Information:
Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 23 Vol. 99; ISSN 0031-9007; ISSN PRLTAO
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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