Does DOS depend on Temperature?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the relationship between the density of states (DOS) and temperature (T), particularly in the context of Green Function theory and spectral functions. Participants explore whether DOS is an independent quantity or if it varies with temperature, examining definitions and implications in both zero and non-zero temperature scenarios.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that DOS is an independent quantity determined by the system, suggesting it does not depend on temperature.
  • Others argue that while the standard definition of DOS is the number of states per energy, the occupation numbers do depend on temperature, which could imply a relationship between DOS and temperature under certain conditions.
  • A participant mentions that the spectral function must be calculated differently at T=0 compared to T not equal to zero, indicating that temperature plays a role in the spectral function's definition.
  • There is a discussion about the integration of the spectral function over momentum space and how this relates to the definition of DOS, with some suggesting that this process may yield a temperature-independent quantity.
  • One participant raises a potential contradiction between the definitions of DOS and spectral function, questioning how they can be reconciled if one is temperature-dependent and the other is not.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether DOS depends on temperature. Multiple competing views are presented, with some asserting independence from temperature while others suggest a more nuanced relationship.

Contextual Notes

Limitations in the discussion include varying definitions of DOS and spectral functions, as well as the dependence on specific theoretical frameworks like the mean-field approximation or Fermi liquid model. The implications of temperature on these definitions remain unresolved.

Diracmai
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In the Green Function theory. The Spectrum Function can be related to DOS. However, in the nonzero T condition, we can also define Spectrum Function. In the other hand, in my conception, DOS is the independent quantity which is determined by the system.
So, does it mean DOS is actually a function which depends on T?
 
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Diracmai said:
In the Green Function theory. The Spectrum Function can be related to DOS. However, in the nonzero T condition, we can also define Spectrum Function. In the other hand, in my conception, DOS is the independent quantity which is determined by the system.
So, does it mean DOS is actually a function which depends on T?

Can you show me the single-particle spectral function for T=0 and T not zero, and tell me what you think is "different"?

Zz.
 
Well the standard definition of the DOS I have been given is the number of states per energy (number of states not number of occupied states). This is a property of the Hamiltonian so for every example I have seen the DOS does not depend on temperature, but the occupation numbers do. I don't know, there may be other definitions.
 
radium said:
Well the standard definition of the DOS I have been given is the number of states per energy (number of states not number of occupied states). This is a property of the Hamiltonian so for every example I have seen the DOS does not depend on temperature, but the occupation numbers do. I don't know, there may be other definitions.

There is a "lower level" derivation/definition of the DOS when mean-field approximation/Fermi liquid model is valid. If one starts with the single-particle spectral function A(k,w), which is the imaginary part of the single-particle Green's function, then the DOS is the "momentum average" of the spectral function, i.e. you integrate A(k,w) over all possible momentum k and essentially giving you A(w), which corresponds to some form of the density of states.

Zz.
 
ZapperZ said:
Can you show me the single-particle spectral function for T=0 and T not zero, and tell me what you think is "different"?

Zz.

The definition of Spectral Function need us to calculate the average value of commutator(retard or advance green function) according to all the occupied states. In the T=0 condition, we only need to compute the average value in the ground state. So, the function is independent of T. However, if T is a definite value, we need to include partition function to calculate the average value in all the excited states. So, the Spectral Function include the parameter T.

My question is, the definition of DOS seems like an definite quantity which independent of T. So, if we relate DOS to Spectral Function, there must be some contradiction between these two conception.

In your second response, do you means A(k,w) (momentum average) is dependent on T. And if we integrate all the k, the quantity A(w) is actually accord with the definition of DOS and independent of T?
 

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