Band Theory of Metals: The Elements

Band Theory of Metals: The Elements focuses on the band theory of solids. The book first discusses revision of quantum mechanics. Topics include Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle, normalization, stationary states, wave and group velocities, mean values, and variational method. The text takes a look at the free-electron theory of metals, including heat capacities, density of states, Fermi energy, core and metal electrons, and eigenfunctions in three dimensions. The book also reviews the effects of crystal fields in one dimension. The eigenfunctions of the translations; symmetry operations of the linear chain; use of translational symmetry; degeneracy of the Bloch functions; and effects of inversion are described. The text also focuses on Bloch functions and Brillouin zones in three dimensions. Concerns include symmetry in the reciprocal space; scalar product and reciprocal vectors; Brillouin zones of higher order; and conditions for the faces of the Brillouin zones. The book is a good source of data for readers interested in the band theory of solids. Read more