Potential within a crystalline solid

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Worzo
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Potential Solid
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential within a crystalline solid, specifically focusing on the combination of atomic wavefunctions in the context of electron behavior in metals and semiconductors. The inquiry is rooted in theoretical understanding and conceptual clarification regarding wavefunction interactions and energy states.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes the overlapping potentials of atoms as they come closer, allowing electrons to occupy states that are not localized to individual atoms.
  • The same participant seeks clarification on how wavefunctions combine to yield different energy states.
  • Another participant suggests that wavefunctions are combined through addition, referencing the concept of linear combination of atomic orbitals (LCAO).
  • A correction is made regarding the terminology of LCAO, clarifying that "L" stands for linear, not local.
  • A subsequent acknowledgment of the correction is made by the participant who initially misstated the term.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants appear to agree on the basic concept of wavefunction combination, but there is a minor disagreement regarding the terminology used in LCAO, which is clarified through correction.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not fully explore the implications of wavefunction combinations or the specific mathematical framework involved, leaving some assumptions and definitions unaddressed.

Worzo
Messages
20
Reaction score
0
I'm reading a book entitled "Electrons in Metals and Semiconductors" at the moment, and have reached a part where it is describing the potential of the atomic lattice.

I understand that as you bring atoms closer together, their potentials overlap, creating the possibility that electrons can occupy states which belong to no particular atoms, and hence their wavefunctions overlap.

Now, the book says that there are different ways to combine these wavefunctions which result in different energies. I don't understand how the wavefunctions combine in different ways. Can somebody enlighten me here?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Er... you add them! That is what is meant by the sum of the local combination of atomic orbitals (lcao).

Zz.
 
In LCAO, L does not stand for local but for linear.
 
Ooops... you're right.

Zz.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Hall effect in P-type semiconductors: electron-centric heuristic?
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
3K
High School Why don't solids always stick together?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
High School PV cell charge separation by an external electric field
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
4K
High School What causes solidity of objects?
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
8K
Undergrad Mean speed of electrons in a periodic potential / lattice
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Graduate How are the thermal expansion of a solid and the stress tensor related?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Undergrad Time rondeau crystals, experimental observations
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
Graduate Binding energies with muonic structures
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
5K
Undergrad What is the basis in crystalline solid structures?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
11K
Graduate Understanding energy bands in solids
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
5K