Finding Distances to Brillouin Zone Borders from Origo

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on calculating the distances from the origin to the Brillouin zone (BZ) borders for a body-centered cubic (bcc) lattice. The user identifies that the distances in 3D are determined by the G-vector, specifically |G-vector|/2, and notes that the reciprocal lattice constant is 2π/a, where 'a' is the direct lattice constant. The user seeks clarification on whether the distances are uniform across all directions in the BZ, particularly for the 110-direction, referencing Ashcroft & Mermin's figure 4.16 for guidance.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Brillouin zones in solid-state physics
  • Familiarity with reciprocal lattice vectors
  • Knowledge of body-centered cubic (bcc) lattice structures
  • Basic principles of crystallography and lattice constants
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the calculation of G-vectors in different lattice structures
  • Study the concept of reciprocal lattice and its applications in solid-state physics
  • Explore the significance of Brillouin zones in electronic band structure
  • Examine Ashcroft & Mermin's figure 4.16 for detailed examples of BZ calculations
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, materials scientists, and students studying solid-state physics, particularly those interested in crystallography and electronic properties of materials.

rubertoda
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Hi, i have problems understanding the Brilluoin zone to the bcc lattice

First, i wonder what the distances are, from the origo to the brillouin zone plane borders.
I firts thought it would be half the distance of the basis vectors (mine are 2pi/a, where a is my lattice constant, BUT its only true for 2-D calculations for square lattices.

I know that the distances in 3D should be |G-vector|/2, and i take the smallest possible G.


But i still don't know

ANyone who knows how to find the distances from origo to the first BZ zone boundaries, knowig that the basis vector in the reciprocal space is 2pi/2?are they all the same??
 
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I think if the direct lattice constant is a, then the reciprocal lattice constant would be2\pi/a hence your favorite distance is (\pi/\sqrt2)a.
 
Thanks a lot. and this goes eveforryone of the 12 directions in the BZ?
 
No, it was for the four direction located in the middle of the figure 4.16 Ashcroft & Mermin. you can easily calculate it for remained 8 directions (see the figure).
 
ok thanks. I am jut interested in the 110-direvtion, from origo to N,in the Ʃ-direction
 

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