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Solve Part B

The document describes the expected constant-energy surfaces for A and B bands in a cubic material, highlighting that band B has larger spherical surfaces due to its smaller effective mass, while band A has smaller, more compressed surfaces reflecting a larger effective mass. It explains the isotropic and parabolic E-k relationship in cubic crystals, leading to spherical constant-energy surfaces in k-space. The final sketch illustrates two sets of spheres centered at the band maxima, with band B's surfaces being larger than those of band A.

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48 views2 pages

Solve Part B

The document describes the expected constant-energy surfaces for A and B bands in a cubic material, highlighting that band B has larger spherical surfaces due to its smaller effective mass, while band A has smaller, more compressed surfaces reflecting a larger effective mass. It explains the isotropic and parabolic E-k relationship in cubic crystals, leading to spherical constant-energy surfaces in k-space. The final sketch illustrates two sets of spheres centered at the band maxima, with band B's surfaces being larger than those of band A.

Uploaded by

Kay r star
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Solve part b

For part (b), the expected form of the valence-band constant-energy surfaces for a cubic
material can be sketched as follows: Both A and B bands produce surfaces with distinct
curvatures due to their different effective masses. Near the B band maxima, the constant
energy surfaces will be spherical and larger due to the smaller effective mass, whereas near
the A band maxima, surfaces will be more compressed and smaller, reflecting a larger
effective mass. [1]

Explanation of Constant-Energy Surfaces


In a cubic crystal, the E–k relationship is isotropic and parabolic near the band extrema,
meaning that the constant-energy surfaces are described by the equation $ E = \alpha k^2
$ for each direction around a maximum or minimum. [1]
For a parabolic band around band maxima (as specified for the B band), the constant-
energy surfaces are spheres in k-space due to the symmetry and uniform effective mass in
all directions.

Sketch and Comparison


Band B (smaller effective mass):
Near the B band maximum, the curvature is higher ( is large), so the effective mass
is smaller ( ). Thus, for a fixed energy, the corresponding k-surface
(sphere) has a larger radius. [1]

Band A (larger effective mass):


For band A, the curvature is lower, resulting in a larger effective mass, so the corresponding
energy surface is a smaller sphere in k-space for the same energy difference from the
maximum. [1]

Inclusion of Both Bands


The final sketch should show:
Two sets of spheres centered at the maxima of bands A and B (in k-space, usually at
the Γ point for such problems), with the spheres for band B being noticeably larger.
These surfaces illustrate all k-points having the same energy for both bands, with size
inversely related to the effective mass. [1]
In summary:
Constant-energy surfaces for both bands are spheres due to cubic symmetry and parabolic
E–k dependence.
Surfaces for band B (smaller effective mass) are larger than those for band A (larger
effective mass), with both sets centered around their respective band maxima in k-space. [1]
⁂

Draw the diagram


Media generated: 'Constant-energy surfaces for A and B bands in cubic crystal k-space. B
surface is larger due to smaller effective mass.'

Draw the diagram


Media generated: 'Constant-energy surfaces in k-space for bands A (smaller sphere) and B
(larger sphere) for a cubic crystal.'

1. WhatsApp-Image-2025-08-25-at-16.53.04_d3ed7924.jpg

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