Probability and matrix methods for the calculation of collective and tracer correlation factors were compared by using a random alloy as an example. It was shown that the method of diffusion probability could describe the general behavior of the structure of the cosines (between a given jump of a species and a later jump) and of the summations. On the other hand, the matrix method could furnish accurate values for the cosines. It was concluded that, in the case of complicated systems and/or lattice structures, the analysis of correlation effects should involve a combination of the 2 methods.

I.V.Belova, G.E.Murch: Philosophical Magazine A, 1996, 73[1], 131-46