Boltzmann

Transport
Equation
PRESENTER: AFSHAN EJAZ

Father of Statistical
Mechanics
Topics to Cover
1- Velocity Distribution Function

2- The Boltzmann transport Equation

- Classical Formulation

- Quantum Formulation

3- Linearization of Boltzmann Equation

Velocity Distribution Function
In a crystalline solid, the state of a moving particle at a particular time is precisely defined if both the
position and velocity are known at that time.

Hence it is useful to define a distribution function that gives the number of particles per unit volume at
position r that have velocity v at time t in phase space.

Distribution Function =

Hence, the number of particles in a volume element of phase space at time t is given as:
Boltzmann Transport Equation
The Boltzmann equation or Boltzmann transport equation (BTE) describes the statistical
behaviour of a thermodynamic system not in a state of equilibrium.

The classical example of such a system is a fluid with temperature gradients in space
causing heat to flow from hotter regions to colder ones, by the random but biased transport of
the particles making up that fluid.
Classical Formulation
Consider a system of electrons in a solid having a one-dimensional velocity distribution function with
position and velocity in the x-direction. Electrons as point particles interact with one another over a
finite time “dt”

Which is assumed to be very small compared with the average time between two consecutive
interactions.

dt<<

The number of electrons at any time t in a small

elemental area of the phase space

(see Fig) is given by

The application of an electric field to the solid changes the distribution for two reasons:

1. The function changes due to the drift velocity produced by the application of the electric field.
2. The function changes due to the collision interactions.

Hence the total rate of change in the distribution function ∂f/∂t is given by

= |drift + |coll
At equilibrium,

|drift + |coll = 0
|drift = - |coll

the collision processes oppose the effect of an external electric field.

Lets assume that collision processes are absent

The application of an electric field produces drift in the position and velocity of the electrons. The number of electrons
at time t + dt, in the cell , at position and velocity coordinates x + dx and + d , respectively, is given by

=,
In equilibrium,

=
,
Expanding the right side:

+ d + |drift = 0

+ d+ =0

=
Where

= |drift + |coll

= + |coll
As we know that, in equilibrium

|drift = |coll
So,
|drift = |coll =

This is the Boltzmann transport equation in one dimension.

The Boltzmann Equation in 3D

|drift = |coll =

|drift = |coll = -------------------------------------(11.18)

Where =
Now suppose that collision processes are also present in the system.

The rate of change of the distribution function due to collision processes is given by

|coll = (11.19)
|coll = (11.20)

The solution of the above equation gives

= (11.21)

This is exponential decay to equilibrium state.

Substituting Eq. (11.19) into Eq. (11.18), the distribution function becomes

= [

• Relaxation time is arbitrary, different relaxation times for different systems.

• For inhomogeneous systems , we need different distribution functions depending on density of electrons.
Distribution function is a function of density.
Quantum Formulation
For a Quantum system, the state of an electron is characterized by its wave vector and energy . The
quantum mechanical expressions for the velocity and force on an electron are given by:
(11:23)

(11:24)
The energy can be approximated by a parabolic band
= (11:25)

Substituting into :
= (11:26)
Further, substituting Eq. (11.24), (11.26) into Eq. (11.18), we get.

|drift = |coll =

In quantum formulation the distribution function for equilibrium state is given as

Equilibrium state is achieved by (i) steady flow of current and (ii) switching of electric field.
LINEARIZATION OF BOLTZMANN
EQUATION
The Boltzmann transport equation is a nonlinear equation and its solution is thus a difficult problem.
So we need to linearize it

Consider a system of free electrons in the equilibrium state with distribution function A weak electric
field E is applied to the system, which changes the distribution function to defined as

= (11.28)

is the small a perturbation in the distribution function caused by the application of the E field. The
linear Boltzmann equation is obtained by substituting Eq. (11.28) into Eq. (11.27) and retaining terms
only up to the first order.
|drift = |coll =
where it is assumed that
||
|||

The linear Boltzmann equation can be solved for a system of free electrons in which the equilibrium
distribution function can be taken to be the Fermi-Dirac distribution function given by

=
Now it is straightforward to prove that.

()= = -------------------------(11.33)

()=
=+ )T ------------------(11.34)
Substituting Eqs. (11.33), (11.34) into Eq. (11.29), the linear Boltzmann equation for a system of electrons becomes:

|coll = |drift = --------------------------------(11.35)

+ )T
T+

Here A is the vector field, which combines the actions of electric and thermal fields.