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Brillouin Zones and Band Structures

This document discusses the concept of Brillouin zones and band structures in solid state physics. It begins by explaining how Brillouin zones are constructed in 2D and 3D lattices, noting that they represent the first Brillouin zone in reciprocal space. It then examines the band structures of various materials with different crystal structures like fcc, bcc, diamond and zinc blende. Key points along high symmetry paths within the first Brillouin zone are identified, such as Γ, X, K, and L points. Bandgaps are noted for semiconducting materials. The document concludes by showing how surfaces of equal energy deviate from circular shapes as they approach critical points within the first Brillouin zone.

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99 views7 pages

Brillouin Zones and Band Structures

This document discusses the concept of Brillouin zones and band structures in solid state physics. It begins by explaining how Brillouin zones are constructed in 2D and 3D lattices, noting that they represent the first Brillouin zone in reciprocal space. It then examines the band structures of various materials with different crystal structures like fcc, bcc, diamond and zinc blende. Key points along high symmetry paths within the first Brillouin zone are identified, such as Γ, X, K, and L points. Bandgaps are noted for semiconducting materials. The document concludes by showing how surfaces of equal energy deviate from circular shapes as they approach critical points within the first Brillouin zone.

Uploaded by

asliman
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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10/15/08

Free Electron Bands

Energy

n=-2

k = k (k + G ) =

n=1

2
2n 2
kx +

2m
a

n=-1
n=0
k

Brillouin zones - 2D
BZ construction
reciprocal lattice
bisect vectors to the nearest neighbors
area defined by bisecting lines
represents 1BZ

10/15/08

Brillouin zones -2D


higher order zones can be
mapped directly onto the 1st
BZ by simple translation
all BZs have exactly the same
area/volume
1BZ corresponds to the
primitive lattice cell in
reciprocal space

Free Electrons in a square lattice


k :0

In the [1,0] direction

Max Energy
1st BZ

10/15/08

Brillouin zones - 3D 
Example: FCC Lattice
Primitive Lattice Vectors
a
(0,1,1)
2
a
t 2 = (1,0,1)
2
a
t 3 = (1,1,0)
2

t1 =

Primitive Reciprocal Lattice Vectors

2
(1,1,1)
a
2
b2 =
(1,1,1)
a
2
b3 =
(1,1,1)
a
b1 =

Brillouin zones - 3D
fcc

1st BZ

2nd BZ

3rd BZ

bcc

10/15/08

Free electron bands for fcc structure


center of the BZ
X [100] intercept;

- X path

K [110] intercept;

- K path

L [111] intercept; - L path

Band structure of Al (fcc)

10/15/08

Band structure of Cu (fcc)

Band structure of Si (diamond)

Bandgap

10/15/08

Band structure of GaAs (zb)

Bandgap

Band Structure of AlN (wurtzite)

L-M

Bandgap
First Brillouin Zone Nomenclature

10/15/08

Curves of equal energy


2D square lattice
1st BZ
deviation from circles
a we approach critical
points (X, K)

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