Isotropic crystal and energy band

hokhani · Nov 9, 2013

Since all the directions are equivalent in an isotropic crystal, can we deduce that the energy band is exactly spherical?

DrDu · Nov 9, 2013

The problem is that there are no isotropic crystals. Even cubic crystals are only symmetric with respect to four and threefold rotations about some special axes. However this is sufficient to render second order (but not higher order) tensors isotropic.

hokhani · Nov 11, 2013

DrDu said:

The problem is that there are no isotropic crystals. Even cubic crystals are only symmetric with respect to four and threefold rotations about some special axes. However this is sufficient to render second order (but not higher order) tensors isotropic.

Do you mean that using the isotropic approximation we in fact disregard the crystal?

DrDu · Nov 12, 2013

Yes, indeed.

Isotropic crystal and energy band

Discussion

Similar threads

Undergrad Edge of Brillouin zone,1D crystal, graphene, standing wave, band gap

Undergrad Discover SiGe Alloy: Energy Band Diagram & Info

Graduate How to calculate the degeneracy of an energy band?

Graduate Solving My Confusion: States in Energy Band

Graduate Is the Energy Band of Wood vs Crystals similar?

Graduate Question: how to calculate the energy of crystal

Graduate How about the energy of crystal in a direct transition?

Energy band gap when there is an electric field

Graduate Some basic problems with energy band

Graduate 1 dimensional crystal at rest, a nucleus emits gamma ray of energy E,