Coherence in Disordered Condensed Matter. IV: Conductivities of Molten Alkali Chlorides — A Novel Relation

The mechanism of the high electric conductivity of molten alkali chlorides is analysed in the light of the Complex Scaling Method (CSM) and its extension to quantum statistics of condensed phases. It is argued that the considered conductivities are due to quantum delocalization of the ions in the melt. Within the CSM-treatment, a novel relation concerning the considered molar conductivities is derived. Its connection with experimental results on LiCl, NaCl, KCl and RbCl in the temperature range T = 800°C-900°C reveals that the charge fluctuations in all these melts exhibit the same relaxation time. CsCl shows deviations from the above relation. A possible connection of this finding with the crystalline structures of the corresponding compounds is suggested. The “practical” importance of the relation derived is indicated.