Solid State - Sommerfeld Drude Model, Calculating N of Elect.

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion focuses on calculating the number of electrons with momentum less than half the Fermi momentum (p_f/2) in a system of N electrons at absolute zero temperature (T = 0). The participants derive the density of states in both k-space and p-space, using the equations D(k) = 2V/(2π)³ and D(p) = V/(4h³π³). The calculations reveal discrepancies between two attempted solutions, highlighting the importance of correctly applying the limits of integration and accounting for factors of h when transitioning between k-space and p-space.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Sommerfeld Drude model
  • Familiarity with quantum mechanics concepts such as Fermi momentum
  • Knowledge of density of states in k-space and p-space
  • Proficiency in integral calculus, particularly in three dimensions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the density of states in k-space and p-space
  • Learn about the implications of Fermi-Dirac statistics at T = 0
  • Explore the relationship between momentum and wavevector in quantum mechanics
  • Investigate common mistakes in transitioning between k-space and p-space calculations
USEFUL FOR

Students and researchers in physics, particularly those focusing on solid-state physics, quantum mechanics, and statistical mechanics, will benefit from this discussion.

zellwwf
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Hello PF :)

Homework Statement


Consider a system of N electrons at temperature T = 0, each having a mass of m, confined to volume V. Find the number of electrons that:

a) have momentum p<p_f/2
b) ...

Homework Equations


The relevant equations can be derived below:
but here is a sample of them
\int F(k)D(k)d\vec{k}
where F: How many electrons per k-state. function of magnitute of K
where D: density in k-space. (since we turned a discrete sum into an integral), function of magnitude of K too (although it's usually a constant)



The Attempt at a Solution



I have two attempted solutions for A, and they are NOT equal, they differ by a factor of h:

Attempt 1:
note, i will be using the reduced Planck's constant, but i can't find the bar, so i will denote it by H.
\vec{p}=h \vec{k}
\frac{\vec{p}}{h}=\vec{k}
thus:
d\vec{p}=h d\vec{k}
\frac{1}{h}d\vec{p}=d\vec{k}

Now we need to calculate the density of states in K-space (too early in the morning to write it down how i got it, but i believe it's correct):
D(k) = \frac{2V}{(2 \pi)^3}

and since:
F(k) = 1 at T = 0;
disregarding spin, as we just multiply by two if we need to 'account' for it in this question

now we can replace these results in our integral above:
\int^{\frac{p_f}{2}}_{0}F(k)D(k)d\vec{k} = \frac{V}{4h\pi^3}\int^{\frac{p_f}{2h}}_{0}d\vec{p}
transforming to spherical coordinates reduces the integral to:
=\frac{V}{4h\pi^3}\int^{\frac{p_f}{2h}}_{0}4\pi p^2dp
=\frac{V}{h\pi^2}\int^{\frac{p_f}{2h}}_{0}p^2dp
=\frac{V}{24h^4\pi^2}p_f^3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now I will attempt two:
i will try to derive the integral itself for P-space, not K-Space

the only thing that i believe changes is the Density function, D(p)
since:
\vec{k}=\frac{\vec{p}}{h}=\frac{2\pi}{L}*(\vec{i}+\vec{j}+\vec{k})
thus:
\vec{p}=\frac{2h\pi}{L}*(\vec{i}+\vec{j}+\vec{k})
thus D(p) can be obtained:
D(p) = \frac{2L^3}{8h^3\pi^3}=\frac{V}{4h^3\pi^3}

F(p) = 1 also, at T = 0; (again, disregarding spin)
so now we need to only evaluate the integral:

\int F(p)D(p)d\vec{p}
=\frac{V}{4h^3\pi^3}\int^{\frac{p_f}{2}}_{0}d\vec{p}
=\frac{V}{4h^3\pi^3}\int^{\frac{p_f}{2}}_{0}4\pi p^2dp
=\frac{V}{3h^3\pi^2}p_f^3

-----
Apparently they are not equal,
i know i made a mistake, or two, or three..
can someone show me :)
 
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zellwwf said:
Hello PF :)

Now we need to calculate the density of states in K-space (too early in the morning to write it down how i got it, but i believe it's correct):
D(k) = \frac{2V}{(2 \pi)^3}
If I recall correctly, the factor of 2 in the numerator above is to take care of the spin. If so, you are not disregarding the spin.

\int^{\frac{p_f}{2}}_{0}F(k)D(k)d\vec{k} = \frac{V}{4h\pi^3}\int^{\frac{p_f}{2h}}_{0}d\vec{p}
Note that the upper limit in the integral on the left should be a value of k rather than p. Correcting this will change the upper limit in the integral on right (which should be a value of p). Also, the integrals are over 3 dimensions in k or p space. Did you include enough factors of h when changing the ##d\vec{k}## to ##d\vec{p}##?

Now I will attempt two:
\int F(p)D(p)d\vec{p}
=\frac{V}{4h^3\pi^3}\int^{\frac{p_f}{2}}_{0}d\vec{p}
=\frac{V}{4h^3\pi^3}\int^{\frac{p_f}{2}}_{0}4\pi p^2dp
=\frac{V}{3h^3\pi^2}p_f^3

When evaluating the integral at the upper limit, it appears that you used ##p_f## for the upper limit instead of ##p_f/2##
 

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