On the role of vacancies in the process of self-diffusion at low temperatures

Expressions for the calculation of the parameters of self-diffusion in a crystal of simple substance at temperatures close to absolute zero are derived. It is established that, in “loose” crystal structures (with the first coordination number below 12), the amount of atoms involved in diffusion motion exceeds the number of vacant sites in the crystal lattice at T=0 K. The results of calculations of the vacancy and diffusion parameters at T=0 K for ten cryocrystals show that the phenomenon of “nonvacancy self-diffusion at T=0 K” can take place only in bcc helium.