Condensed Matter & Materials Physics
5 terms
Band Gap
Condensed Matter & Materials Physics
eV (Electron-Volts)
The energy range in a solid where no electronic quantum states can exist, separating the top of the valence band from the bottom of the conduction band.
E_g = E_c - E_v = h ν_threshold
BCS Theory
Condensed Matter & Materials Physics
K (Critical Temperature T_c)
The microscopic quantum theory of superconductivity developed by Bardeen, Cooper, and Schrieffer in 1957.
2 Δ(0) ≈ 3.52 k_B T_c, E_gap = 2 Δ
Bloch's Theorem
Condensed Matter & Materials Physics
Quantum Wave Function State
A fundamental theorem of solid-state physics stating that wave functions for electrons in a periodic crystal potential equal plane waves modulated by a lattice-periodic function.
ψ_k(r) = e^(i k · r) u_k(r), u_k(r + R) = u_k(r)
Brillouin Zone
Condensed Matter & Materials Physics
m⁻¹ (Reciprocal Wavevector k)
The uniquely defined fundamental primitive cell in reciprocal wavevector k-space containing all unique electronic and vibrational wave states of a crystal.
First BZ: Wigner-Seitz cell in reciprocal lattice space
Bulk Modulus
Condensed Matter & Materials Physics
Pa or GPa (Gigapascals)
A mechanical material property measuring a solid or fluid's resistance to uniform volumetric compression under applied hydrostatic pressure.
K = -V (dP / dV)