Electronic States in Crystals of Finite Size: Quantum confinement of Bloch waves / Edition 1

by SHANGYUAN REN

Overview

The theory of electronic states in crystals is the very basis of modern solid state physics. In traditional solid state physics – based on the Bloch theorem – the theory of electronic states in crystals is essentially a theory of electronic states in crystals of inflnite size. However, that any real crystal always has afinite size is a physical reality one has to face. The difierence between the electronic structure of a real crystal offinite size and the electronic structure obtained based on the Bloch theorem becomes more significant as the crystal size decreases. A clear understanding of the properties of electronic states in real crystals offinite size has both theoretical and practical significance. Many years ago when the author was a student learning solid state physics at Peking University, he was bothered by a feeling that the general use of the periodic boundary conditions seemed unconvincing. At least the effects of such a significant simplification should be clearly understood. Afterward, he learned that many of his school mates had the same feeling. Among many solid state physics books, the author found that only in the classic book Dynamic Theory of Crystal Lattices by Born and Huang was there a more detailed discussion on the effects of such a simplification in an Appendix.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781441920874
Publisher:	Springer New York
Publication date:	11/19/2010
Series:	Springer Tracts in Modern Physics , #212
Edition description:	Softcover reprint of hardcover 1st ed. 2006
Pages:	206
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

The author has been working in various areas in the field of theoretical condensed matter physics for more than twenty years and has published more than ninety research papers. Some of them are well cited.

Table of Contents

Why a Theory of Electronic States in Crystals of Finite Size is Needed.- One-Dimensional Semi-infinite Crystals and Finite Crystals.- Mathematical Basis.- Surface States in One-Dimensional Semi-infinite Crystals.- Electronic States in Ideal One-Dimensional Crystals of Finite Length.- Low-Dimensional Systems and Finite Crystals.- Electronic States in Ideal Quantum Films.- Electronic States in Ideal Quantum Wires.- Electronic States in Ideal Finite Crystals or Quantum Dots.- Epilogue.- Concluding Remarks.

Editorial Reviews

From the reviews:

"The book is devoted to the theory of electronic states in crystal that have finite size. Mathematically, this reduces to spectral theory of Schrödinger operator with truncated periodic potential. … The book might be interesting to both physicists and mathematicians." (Aleksander Pankov, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1105 (7), 2007)

From the Publisher