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PHY 521/321:
Condensed Matter Physics I

Prof. S. Teitel stte@pas.rochester.edu ---- Spring 2010

Problem Set 7

Due Thursday, April 28, in lecture

  • Problem 1

    Consider a one dimensional lattice structure consisting of two different atoms A and B that alternate at equally spaced intervals of width a, as sketched below.

    1DTB picture

    Assume that each atom contributes one valence electron. For atoms centered at the origin, the atomic orbital of an A atom valence electron is φA(r) and the atomic orbital of a B atom valence electron is φB(r). The atomic energy levels of these orbitals are EA and EB respectively. You may assume that φA and φB are real and spherically symmetric.

    Using the tight binding method, compute the band structure energies and eigenstates for this lattice. Assume that only nearest neighbor overlap integrals are significant.

    Plot the band energies vs k in the first Brillouin Zone.

  • Problem 2

    Using the tight binding band structure for the π and π* bands of graphene as computed in lecture, show:

    a) For k near k=0, the surfaces of constant energy are circles centered about the orign.

    b) For k near kK at a vertex of the surface of the first Brillouin Zone, show that the band energies are ε±(k) ~ |kkK|.

    c) For k near kK at a vertex of the surface of the first Brillouin Zone, show that the surfaces of constant energy are circles centered about kK.

    d) Find an energy ε for which the surface of constant energy ε is strongly nested. Draw this surface in the first Brillouin Zone.

    e) Show that the density of states g(ε) vanishes at the Fermi energy εF.