Brillouin Zone
The uniquely defined fundamental primitive cell in reciprocal wavevector k-space containing all unique electronic and vibrational wave states of a crystal.
Governing formula
First BZ: Wigner-Seitz cell in reciprocal lattice space
SI unit
m⁻¹ (Reciprocal Wavevector k)
In depth
The first Brillouin zone boundaries represent Bragg reflection planes for electron and phonon waves in a crystal lattice. Band gap discontinuities occur at these zone boundaries.
Examples in the real world
Mapping electronic energy band structures E(k) across high-symmetry points (Γ, X, L, K) of the Brillouin zone.