Bandwidth and k-vector extrema for BCC tight binding model

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
2 replies · 9K views
abdul-pablo
Messages
11
Reaction score
0
According to tight binding moment, for BCC crystalographic structures (such as Fe), energy E depends on wave vector kx, ky, kz: E(x) = const - 8t cos(kx * a/2)*cos(ky * a/2)*cos(kz * a/2), where t>0 is the model parameter. What is the bandwidth W in terms of parameter t? Can you find kx, kz, and ky at the band bottom and at the band top?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Well you need to find the minimum and maximum value of the band Energy - then W is the difference between them.. The easiest way is probably just by inspection.
 
So the maximum is Emax = const + 8t when the multiplication of cos functions gives -1 and Emin = const -8t as the multiplication of cos functions gives 1. It implies that W = 8t - (-8t) = 16t. Now I should find kx,ky and kz fow which that cos functions multiplications results in 1 and -1. I have found 4 solution for 1 on the right side of the equation (having cos on the left one) and 4 solutions for -1 on the right. Is it possible? Am I right?