Calculation of the band structure of Si

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the band structure of silicon (Si) using the pseudopotential method for Monte Carlo simulations of transport processes. Participants emphasize the need for a simplified approach, suggesting that a full band structure calculation may not be necessary. Instead, they recommend using the \(\vec{k} \cdot \vec{p}\) method to include nonparabolicity in the bands, referencing the work of Frank L. Madarasz and Frank Szmulowicsz from the 1980s as foundational literature. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding the underlying physics rather than solely relying on complex calculations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of pseudopotential methods in solid-state physics
  • Familiarity with Monte Carlo simulations for transport processes
  • Knowledge of the \(\vec{k} \cdot \vec{p}\) method for band structure calculations
  • Access to foundational papers by Frank L. Madarasz and Frank Szmulowicsz
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the pseudopotential method for band structure calculations in silicon
  • Learn about the \(\vec{k} \cdot \vec{p}\) method and its applications in semiconductor physics
  • Study the Boltzmann transport equation and its numerical solutions
  • Find and review the papers by Frank L. Madarasz and Frank Szmulowicsz from 1983-1986
USEFUL FOR

Researchers and students in solid-state physics, semiconductor device engineers, and anyone involved in Monte Carlo simulations for transport phenomena in materials.

Dmitry
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Please, help me to calculate the band structure of Si using the pseudopotential method. I will appreciate if you send me a simple program of calculation in any programming language very much and will be very grateful for any link or reference. The problem is than I've read the pile of books and haven't found anything concrete, everyting is too vague. Thanks!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Try this:

http://www.research.ibm.com/DAMOCLES/html_files/numerics.html#compbnd

and

M Elices et al., J. Phys. C: Solid State Phys. v.7, p.3020 (1974).

Zz.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Thanks, ZapperZ!

Thanks, ZapperZ, but this page is not exactly what I need. For now it would be enough for me to calculate without nonlocal contribution and spin-orbit interaction. I am looking for something more simple. Anyway, you are right, I need this calculation for Monte-Carlo simulation. And again, I need something more specific.
As for the Solid State Phys. article, I don't have the opportunity to get it. Maybe, if you have the electronic copy of it, you can help me a lot by sending it to me by e-mail: dima_r@pisem.net. Thank you!
 
Just what are you needing the full band structure calculation for? I have some expertise in this area and find that method of calculating the band structure depends on the calculation to be performed later.

dt
 
Thanks for your interest!
I need the full band structure calculation for Monte Carlo simulation of transport process.
For the beginning I need something simple enough, and then I will improve the calculation.
 
Dmitry said:
Thanks for your interest!
I need the full band structure calculation for Monte Carlo simulation of transport process.
For the beginning I need something simple enough, and then I will improve the calculation.

OK, so now *I* am confused.

If all you wanted to do is to simulate the transport process, then why can't you just USE the already available band structure for Si rather than actually calculating it? I initially thought that this is your whole project since this is already a daunting task by itself. But if you really have to do this, and then in turn, use Monte Carlo to solve something like the Boltzmann transport equation, I want to know who is the sadist who is forcing you to do all this!

:)

Zz.
 
Well, you are right - he is a sadist! He is my supervisor of studies. There is a project to create a Monte-Carlo device simulation program. We were using the quadratic energy-wavevector relation with nonparabolicity and decided to improve the accuracy. My task is to write a module for the full band structure calculation. I think my supervisor has underestimated the difficulty of this task and overestimated my abilities.
 
Last edited:
You do not need the full band structure calculation to calculate the transport coefficients in Si, believe me I know. You only need to do a \vec{k} * \vec{p} calculation. Include the nonparbolicity of the bands by including the off diagonal terms in the matrix. My advisor and his collaborators calculated the Hall and conductivity mobilities in Si about 20 years ago, look for papers by Frank L (F.L.) Madarasz or Frank Szmulowicsz in the 1983-86 timeframe. I extended this framework to anisotropic semiconductors for my dissertation, although money and time kept me from finishing the complete study.

The long and short of it is that the Boltzmann equation should mot be solved using Monte Carlo, but using the methods in my advisors papers. They have been quoted in the open literature as "definitive", the problem is that no one wants to do the problems correctly. Send me a private message and we can discuss it offline if you wish.

dt
 

Similar threads

Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
8K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
6K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
6K
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
7K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
5K