Integrals over chained functions

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The discussion revolves around the calculation of an integral involving the Fermi function and its dependencies on time through wave vector and energy relationships. The poster questions whether both the derivatives of energy and wave vector should also be considered time-dependent due to their relationships with time. They note a discrepancy between their understanding and the treatment in Ashcroft and Mermin's text, which seems to imply that only specific terms contribute to time dependence. There is a request for clarification on the book's stance regarding the integrand's time dependence. The conversation highlights the complexities of integrating functions that are interconnected through multiple variables in solid-state physics.
SchroedingersLion
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Good evening!

Going through a bunch of calculations in Ashcroft's and Mermin's Solid State Physics, I have come across either an error on their part or a missunderstanding on my part.

Suppose we have a concatenated function, say the fermi function ##f(\epsilon)## that goes from R to R. We know that ##\epsilon## is a function of the 3 dimensional wave vector k . If there are applied electromagnetic fields, the wave vector depends on time t', i.e. k(t').

Now suppose we want to calculate an integral $$\int_{-\infty}^t p(t')\frac {df}{dt'} \, dt' $$ with some scalar function ##p(t')##.
Chain rule tells us that ##\frac {df}{dt'} = \frac {df}{d\epsilon} \frac {d\epsilon}{d\mathbf k}\frac {d\mathbf k}{dt'}##, so we get $$ \int_{-\infty}^t p(t')\frac {df}{d\epsilon} \frac {d\epsilon}{d\mathbf k}\frac {d\mathbf k}{dt'} \, dt' $$

So, assuming that ##\frac {df}{d\epsilon}## would still depend on ##\epsilon ## and ##\frac {d\epsilon}{d\mathbf k}## would still depend on ##\mathbf k##, am I right in assuming that both of these terms would also be considered as being dependent on t'?
Because ##\epsilon## depends on ##\mathbf k## and the latter on t'. So, under the integral, I would express ##\epsilon## and ##\mathbf k## in terms of t', before I integrate.

Yet, the book keeps acting as if the time dependence only comes from ##p(t)## and ##\frac {d\mathbf k}{dt'}##.SL
 
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Wow I'm surprised this question hasn't gotten any answers at all.

Anyways, I'm not too knowledgeable but your reasoning makes total sense to me, and I want to ask if you can elaborate on what you mean by the book insisting that the "time dependence only comes from ##p(t)## and ##\frac {d\vec k} {dt'}##"? Do you mean the integrand's time dependence?
 

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