Electron Dynamics in Crystalline Semiconductors

• Authors: W. Zawadzki
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

Electron dynamics in crystalline semiconductors is described by distinguishing between an instantaneous velocity related to electron's momentum and an average velocity related to its quasi-momentum in a periodic potential. It is shown that the electron velocity used in the theory of electron transport and free-carrier optics is the average electron velocity, not the instantaneous velocity. An effective mass of charge carriers in solids is considered and it is demonstrated that, in contrast to the "acceleration" mass introduced in textbooks, it is a "velocity" mass relating carrier velocity to its quasi-momentum that is a much more useful physical quantity. Among other advantages, the velocity mass is a scalar for spherical but nonparabolic energy bands ϵ(k), whereas the acceleration mass is not a scalar. Important applications of the velocity mass are indicated. A two-band k·p^ model is introduced as the simplest example of a band structure that still keeps track of the periodic lattice potential. It is remarked that the two-band model, adequately describing narrow-gap semiconductors (including zero-gap graphene), strongly resembles the special theory of relativity. Instructive examples of the "semi-relativistic" analogy are given. The presentation has both scientific and pedagogical aspects.

Keywords

EN

71.28.+d; 73.61.Ey; 72.20.-i

Discipline

• 73.61.Ey: III-V semiconductors
• 72.20.-i: Conductivity phenomena in semiconductors and insulators(see also 66.70.-f Nonelectronic thermal conduction and heat-pulse propagation in solids; thermal waves)
• 71.28.+d: Narrow-band systems; intermediate-valence solids(for magnetic aspects, see 75.20.Hr and 75.30.Mb in magnetic properties and materials)

• Journal: Acta Physica Polonica A
• Year: 2013
• Volume: 123
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 132-138

Dates

published

2013-01

received

2012-10-03

Contributors

author

W. Zawadzki

• Institute of Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, al. Lotników 32/46, 02-668 Warsaw, Poland

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Identifiers

DOI

10.12693/APhysPolA.123.132