Kinetic Theory of Thermal Diffusion in a Magnetic Field

Abstract

A kinetic theory of thermal diffusion in binary mixtures of polyatomic gases in an external homogeneous magnetic field is presented. It is based on the transport-relaxation equations obtained from the linearized Waldmann-Snider equation with the moment method. Under the assumption that the Kagan polarization is the decisive nonequilibrium alignment an expression for the thermal diffusion tensor in terms of Waldmann-Snider collision integrals is derived. In particular, mixtures of linear molecules with noble gas atoms are treated and the mole fraction dependence of the transverse effect is studied. As examples, the mixtures N2-Ar and N2-Ne are considered. Finally the order of magnitude of the transverse Senftleben-Beenakker effect of diffusion is estimated