The Onsager-Casimir Reciprocal Relations from the Standpoint of the Markov Process

Abstract

The Onsager reciprocal relations can also be proved from the stand-points of the Markov process or of the kinetic theory. Their cornerstone is the principle of microscopic reversibility. However this principle represents by no means a universal rule. Furthermore the usual proof can treat only the so-called α-variables, but can not treat the β-variables rightly. In this paper we discuss the methods which do not utilize the principle of microscopic reversibility and can treat both the α- and β- variables rightly. Furthermore, we conclude that when the principle of microscopic reversibility holds, there can not exist the cross-phenomena between the α-variable and β-variable.