Derivation in Ashcroft and Mermin (The Pseudopotential)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the derivation of equation (11.30) from Ashcroft and Mermin's text on the pseudopotential method in solid-state physics. Participants are attempting to understand the mathematical steps involved in this derivation, referencing specific equations and concepts from the book.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents their attempt at deriving equation (11.30) and expresses confusion about the steps involved.
  • Another participant suggests that the term ## b_c ## should be a function of ## k+K ##, raising questions about the treatment of the summation over ## K ##.
  • Some participants agree on the need for complex conjugation in the equations and discuss the implications of periodicity in the lattice on the summation.
  • There are differing opinions on whether ## b_c ## depends on ## k+K ## or just on ## K ##, with references to specific equations in the text.
  • One participant proposes that if ## \psi_{k+K} = \psi_k ##, it could simplify the derivation, referencing another equation from the book as a potential resolution.
  • Several participants express uncertainty about the algebra involved and whether an error exists in the original text.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the derivation of equation (11.30). There are multiple competing views regarding the treatment of the terms and the implications of periodicity, as well as uncertainty about the correctness of Ashcroft and Mermin's formulation.

Contextual Notes

Participants note limitations in their understanding of the algebraic steps required to derive equation (11.30) and the dependencies of various terms on the wave vector components. There is also mention of unresolved mathematical steps and the potential for simplifications that are not immediately clear.

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On page 208 of Ashcroft and Mermin they write:

We describe the pseudopotential method only in its earliest formulation, which is basically a recasting of the OPW approach.
Suppose that we write the exact wave function for a valence level as a linear combination of OPW's, as in (11.27).
Let ##\phi_{\vec{k}}^v## be the plane wave part of this expansion:
$$(11.29)\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \phi_{\vec{k}}^v(\vec{r})=\sum_{\vec{K}}c_{\vec{K}}e^{i(\vec{k}+\vec{K})\cdot\vec{r}}$$
Then we can write the expansions (11.27) and (11.24) as:
$$(11.30)\ \ \ \ \ \ \psi_{\vec{k}}^v(\vec{r})=\phi_{\vec{k}}^v(\vec{r})-\sum_{c}\bigg( \int d\vec{r}' \psi_{\vec{k}}^{c*}(\vec{r}')\phi_{\vec{k}}^v(\vec{r}') \bigg)\psi_{\vec{k}}^c(\vec{r})$$

I tried to derive equation (11.30) but got stuck on something, I hope someone can help me with it.

I'll write below my attempt at deriving equation (11.30).

First, notice the following few equations on pages 206-207:
$$(11.24) \ \ \ \ \ \phi_{\vec{k}}^v = e^{i\vec{k}\cdot \vec{r}}+\sum_c b_c \psi_{\vec{k}}^c(\vec{r})$$
$$(11.26)\ \ \ \ \ \ b_c = -\int d\vec{r}\psi_{\vec{k}}^{c*}(\vec{r})e^{i\vec{k}\cdot\vec{r}}$$
$$(11.27)\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \psi_{\vec{k}} = \sum_{\vec{K}}c_{\vec{K}}\phi_{\vec{k}+\vec{K}}$$

Now for my attempt at solution:
$$\psi_{\vec{k}}^v(\vec{r})=\sum_{\vec{K}} c_{\vec{K}}\phi_{\vec{k}+\vec{K}}^v = $$
$$=\sum_{\vec{K}} c_{\vec{K}}\bigg[ e^{i(\vec{k}+\vec{K})\cdot\vec{r}}+\sum_c b_c \psi^c_{\vec{k}+\vec{K}}(\vec{r})\bigg]=$$
$$=\phi_{\vec{k}}^v(\vec{r})-\int d\vec{r}'\psi_{\vec{k}}^c(\vec{r})e^{i\vec{k}\cdot \vec{r}'}\sum_{\vec{K}}\sum_cc_{\vec{K}}\psi_{\vec{k}+\vec{K}}^c(\vec{r})$$Where in the third equality above I used (11.26), in the second equality I used equation (11.24).

Now, I am stuck, how to derive from the above last three equations, equation (11.30)?
 
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I think the ## b_c ## should also be ## b_c (k+K) ##, (## b_c ## as a function of ## k+K ##), ## \\ ## [Note: the ## \phi_k ## that you substitute in is actually ## \phi_{k+K } ##], ## \\ ## which will make the first ## \psi_{k+K }^* ##, (you also omitted the ## * ## on the first ## \psi ## in your last line), and also give an ## e^{i(k+K)r} ##. ## \\ ## I don't know how Ashcroft and Mermin eliminated the sum over ## K ##. They could do it if it only involved the ## \phi ##, and it didn't also involve the ## \psi 's ##, but it does. Perhaps they made an error.
 
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Charles Link said:
I think the ## b_c ## should also be ## b_c (k+K) ##, (## b_c ## as a function of ## k+K ##), ## \\ ## [Note: the ## \phi_k ## that you substitute in is actually ## \phi_{k+K } ##], ## \\ ## which will make the first ## \psi_{k+K }^* ##, (you also omitted the ## * ## on the first ## \psi ## in your last line), and also give an ## e^{i(k+K)r} ##. ## \\ ## I don't know how Ashcroft and Mermin eliminated the sum over ## K ##. They could do it if it only involved the ## \phi ##, and it didn't also involve the ## \psi 's ##, but it does. Perhaps they made an error.
Yes, I forgot the complex conjugation in my last equality.
 
MathematicalPhysicist said:
Yes, I forgot the complex conjugation in my last equality.
I'd be curious to know if you also agree with me about the ## k+K ##. I think my algebra is correct, and I don't see how the sum over ## K ## can be eliminated by making it simply a ## \phi_k ##, using equation 11.29. The ## \psi_{k+K}^* ## and ## \psi_{k+K } ## terms still contain ## k+K ##, and the ## K ## doesn't simply go away.
 
If the summation is over ##K## then this sum is the same as a sum over ##k+K##, I think this is because we are in a periodic lattice.

But I am not sure.
I don't think ##b_c## depends on ##k+K##, though if we are in the habit of correcting myself I think that ##b_c## should depend on ##K## and not on ##k## as I wrote; It's a pity I cannot edit my post after I submitted it.
 
MathematicalPhysicist said:
If the summation is over ##K## then this sum is the same as a sum over ##k+K##, I think this is because we are in a periodic lattice.

But I am not sure.
I don't think ##b_c## depends on ##k+K##, though if we are in the habit of correcting myself I think that ##b_c## should depend on ##K## and not on ##k## as I wrote; It's a pity I cannot edit my post after I submitted it.
See equation (11.26). ## b_c ## is thereby a function of ## k ##. The ## \phi ## that gets used (substituted in) is in a modified form of equation 11.24, expressed as ## \phi_{k+K} ##, and thereby ## b_c ## will be the ## b_c(k+K) ## version.
 
MathematicalPhysicist said:
If the summation is over ##K## then this sum is the same as a sum over ##k+K##, I think this is because we are in a periodic lattice.

But I am not sure.
I don't think ##b_c## depends on ##k+K##, though if we are in the habit of correcting myself I think that ##b_c## should depend on ##K## and not on ##k## as I wrote; It's a pity I cannot edit my post after I submitted it.
See equation (11.26). ## b_c ## is thereby a function of ## k ##. The ## \phi ## that gets used (substituted into 11.27) is in a modified form of equation 11.24, expressed as ## \phi_{k+K} ##. Thereby ## b_c ## will be the ## b_c(k+K) ## version.
 
@Charles Link I can see what you mean, and I agree with your observation; then how do you think they derived equation (11.30)?
 
MathematicalPhysicist said:
@Charles Link I can see what you mean, and I agree with your observation; then how do you think they derived equation (11.30)?
As I mentioned in post 2, perhaps they made an error. It is possible that some algebra is able to simplify the sum over ## K ##, but it is not obvious to me. Perhaps someone else can see a simplifying step which then generates 11.30, but I don't see one.
 
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  • #10
Thanks for your feedback, nonetheless.
 
  • #11
MathematicalPhysicist said:
Thanks for your feedback, nonetheless.
Is it possible that ## \psi_{k+K}=\psi_{k} ##? If that is the case, the result of 11.30 follows immediately. I haven't read through the part in Ashcroft and Mermin preceding these equations for quite a number of years, but if ## \psi_{k+K}=\psi_k ##, the problem is solved. ## \\ ## Editing: And yes, see equation 8.50: ## \psi_{k+K}=\psi_k ##. The problem is solved and equation 11.30 of Ashcroft and Mermin is correct.
 
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  • #12
Jesus and moses christ, thanks Charles.
:->
 

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