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Homework 6 - Solution

This homework assignment involves calculating properties of electron gases and condensed matter systems using Fermi-Dirac statistics. For a 2D electron gas, the student is asked to calculate the density of states, express the Fermi energy in atomic units, and calculate the Fermi energy for a given 2D electron density. For liquid helium-3, the student must calculate the Fermi energy and temperature based on the mass density. Finally, the student is to calculate the Fermi energy and zero-point pressure for various metals using a free electron gas model and data from a reference table.

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308 views2 pages

Homework 6 - Solution

This homework assignment involves calculating properties of electron gases and condensed matter systems using Fermi-Dirac statistics. For a 2D electron gas, the student is asked to calculate the density of states, express the Fermi energy in atomic units, and calculate the Fermi energy for a given 2D electron density. For liquid helium-3, the student must calculate the Fermi energy and temperature based on the mass density. Finally, the student is to calculate the Fermi energy and zero-point pressure for various metals using a free electron gas model and data from a reference table.

Uploaded by

Sandile SynthaxError Mabika
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PHY 491: Atomic, Molecular, and Condensed Matter Physics

Michigan State University, Fall Semester 2012


Solve by: Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Homework 6 Solution
6.1.
(i) Calculate the density of states of the electron gas in 2 and 1 dimensions.
(ii) Derive expressions for the Fermi energy in atomic units, where the energy is expressed in Hartree
and the length is expressed in Bohr radius.
(iii) Consider a 2D electron gas with the density of 1.51011 cm2 . Express this density in atomic units.
What is the Fermi energy for this 2D electron gas?
Solution:
(i) In 2 dimensions (2D),
2k dk
D(E)dE = 2  2 .
2
L

With
E = E~k =

m
2 k2
h
k dk = 2 dE
2m

we get
A
D(E) =
2

2m
h2

independent of E.
In 1 dimension (1D),
2 dk
D(E)dE = 2  
2
L

with one factor of 2 for spin and the other factor of 2 for k and k. With
s

k=

2m 1/2
1
dk =
2 E
2
h

2m 1/2
E
dE
h2

we get
2m
h2

1/2

and A =

A
.
a2B

D(E) =
(ii) In 2D, EF = N A1 , where EF =
In 1D, EF =

2
8

N
L

2

, where EF =

EF
Hartree

EF
Hartree

and L =

E 1/2 .

L
aB .

(iii)
N
A
N
A

= 1.51011 cm2 ,
=

N
N
= a2B = 1.51011 cm2 (0.529108 cm)2 = 0.42105 ,
A
A/a2B
1

EF
EF

N
= 0.42105 ,
A
= 0.42105 Hartree = 0.42105 27.2 eV = 35.9105 eV .
=

6.2. The 3 He atom is a fermion with spin 1/2 (why?). The density of liquid 3 He is 0.081 g/cm3 near
T = 0. Calculate the Fermi energy EF and the Fermi temperature TF .
Solution:
Particles with a half-integer spin (here: nuclear spin) are fermions. The mass density of the liquid is
=

N
M (3 He) = 0.081 g/cm3 .
V

The number density is


n=

0.081 g/cm3
N
=
=
= 1.6171022 cm3 = 1.6171028 m3 .
V
M (3 He)
31.671024 g
2/3
h2
2N
=
3
= 6.781023 J = 4.24104 eV ,
2M (3 He)
V
= 4.24104 1.16104 K = 4.91 K .

EF
TF

6.3. Assuming a free electron gas model for the valence electrons of the metals Li, Na, Cs, Cu, Mg, Al,
In, Pb, calculate the Fermi energy (in eV) and the zero point pressure (in atmospheric pressure). Use
Table 4 (Density and atomic concentration) in Chapter 1 of Kittel (p. 24 in 7th edition, p. 21 in 8th
edition).
Solution:
The expression for the zero point pressure derived in Class is
2
P =
3

3
EF n ,
5


where n is the electron density and EF the Fermi level that can be expressed in terms of n. Make sure
you get a result for a couple of elements (e.g. Na, Mg, In).

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