Conductivity and Integration over Fermi-Sphere?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the integration process in solid-state physics as described in "An Introduction to Solid State Physics" by Ibach and Lüth. The integral for conductivity, represented as $$\sigma=\frac{e^2}{8\pi^3 \hbar} \int df_{E}dE \frac{v^2_x(\bf{k})}{v(\bf{k})} \tau(\bf{k}) \delta(E-E_F)$$, raises questions about the treatment of the wave vector $$k$$ during integration. It is clarified that $$k$$ remains a vector and does not simplify to $$k_F$$ due to the non-spherical nature of the Fermi surface. The notation for the surface element in k-space, specifically $$dS_E$$, is also discussed, highlighting its relationship with $$dS_k$$ and the implications for dimensional analysis.

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Abigale
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Hi,
I am reading "An Introduction of Solid State Physics" from Ibach Lüth and don't understand the integration process.
They write $$\sigma=\frac{e^2}{8\pi^3 \hbar}
\int df_{E}dE \frac{v^2_x(\bf{k})}{v(\bf{k})} \tau(\bf{k}) \delta(E-E_F)
$$

$$
= \int_{E=E_F}^{}df_{E} \frac{v^2_x(\bf{k})}{v(\bf{k})} \tau(\bf{k})
$$

But why does ## k ## NOT become ##k_F## after the Integration of the Delta-function?

I would think that the integral becomes immedately after the dE-integration:
$$
= \int_{E=E_F}^{}df_{E} \frac{v^2_x(\bf{k_F})}{v(\bf{k_F})} \tau(\bf{k_F})
$$

THX
Abbi

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Yes, you are right, but this is only a matter of notation. k is still a vector and will have different length for different directions as long as the Fermi surface is not spherical.
 
I don't understand the notation ##dS_E##.
$$d\bf{k} = k^2 sin\theta d\theta d\phi dk$$
$$ = dS_k dk_\bot $$ This means a surface-element times a radial distance-element perpendicular to the surface-element. Both in k-space.

In the book instead of ##dS_k## the expression ##dS_E## is used. They say ##dS_k= dS_E dk_\bot ##

What means exactly ##dS_E##?
If I think at the notation $$ dS_k= k^2 sin\theta d\theta d\phi$$,
it should be $$dS_E=E({\bf k})^2 sin\theta d\theta d\phi$$

But then the units don't correspond anymore to k-space:
$$d{\bf k} =dS_E dk_\bot$$ which corresponds to $$ \frac{1}{m^3}=\frac{eV}{1}\frac{1}{m}$$
 
Last edited:

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