Density of states (solid state)

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the density of states and average energy for an electron gas in one-dimensional (1D), two-dimensional (2D), and three-dimensional (3D) systems. The key formulas presented include the number of states, N, defined as N(ε) = ∫₀^ε dε' g(ε'), where g(ε) represents the density of states. The conversation emphasizes the interpretation of N as the total number of states with energy less than ε, particularly within the context of Fermi spheres in 3D and Fermi disks in 2D. Understanding these concepts is crucial for accurately determining the density of states in various dimensions.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum mechanics principles, particularly related to electron gases.
  • Familiarity with integrals and calculus, especially in the context of physics.
  • Knowledge of Fermi-Dirac statistics and its application in solid-state physics.
  • Basic concepts of dimensional analysis in physics (1D, 2D, 3D systems).
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the density of states for 1D, 2D, and 3D electron gases.
  • Learn about Fermi spheres and Fermi disks in the context of solid-state physics.
  • Explore the application of Fermi-Dirac statistics in calculating average energy.
  • Investigate the implications of density of states on electronic properties of materials.
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Physicists, materials scientists, and students studying solid-state physics who are interested in the behavior of electron gases and the implications of density of states on material properties.

fabsuk
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calculate the density of states and average energy for an elctron gas in 1d,2d and 3d

I know the number of states is

<br /> <br /> N= \int_{0}^{infinity} g(e)f(e) de <br /> <br /> and E = \int_{0}^{infinity} g(e)ef(e) de <br /> <br />
<br /> <br /> and g(e) =dN/de<br />
 
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That doesn't really make sense as you've written it, since N is just a number, not a function of e. The formula you want to use for N(e) is:

N(\epsilon) = \int_0^\epsilon d\epsilon&#039; g(\epsilon&#039;)

Then from the fundamental theorem of calculus, it's clear dN/de=g(e). Of course, this is not a helpful definition when you want to use N to compute g. But there's another interpretation of the integral on the RHS: it's just the total number of states whose energy is less than e. In other words, in 3D, it's the number of states inside the fermi-sphere corresponding to energy e. In 2D, you'd have a fermi disk, and so on. Can you see how to count the states inside such a fermi sphere?
 

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