Drude relaxation-time conductivity and Hall response
A single electron-carrier Drude model has dp/dt=−e(E+v×B)−p/τ.
Key knowledge
A single electron-carrier Drude model has dp/dt=−e(E+v×B)−p/τ. In zero magnetic field its steady conductivity is σ=ne²τ/m and drift mobility is eτ/m; its weak-field Hall coefficient is R_H=−1/(ne) under the electron-sign convention E_y=R_H j_x B_z.
Values and equations
σ=ne²τ/m; μ_d=eτ/m; R_H=−1/(ne)
- σ
- Electrical conductivity S m⁻¹
- μ_d
- Positive drift-mobility magnitude m² V⁻¹ s⁻¹
- R_H
- Hall coefficient m³ C⁻¹
- n
- Electron density m⁻³
- e
- Positive elementary charge C
- τ
- Relaxation time s
- m
- Carrier mass kg
Conditions and scope
- Uniform isotropic single parabolic carrier band, positive e,n,m,τ, linear steady response and the specified axes/sign convention.
- Multiple carriers, anisotropic bands or energy-dependent scattering alter Hall and conductivity formulas; a measured Hall coefficient need not directly give the total carrier density.
Sources · 1
References
Sources retain their recorded scope. A source link alone does not establish verification of every statement.
Evidence and review
Solid State Physics: third-year lecture notes (2012): Sections 3.1.1–3.1.2: momentum relaxation, conductivity equation 3.2, resistivity tensor and Hall coefficient; excludes historical anecdotes and simple valence inference.
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Entry details
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