Suppose we have a crystal with lattice vectors $\mathbf{a}_ 1$, $\mathbf{a}_ 2$, and $\mathbf{a}_ 3$.
1. What can be said about the symmetry of the Hamiltonian $\hat{H}$ of this crystal?
To describe the translation through the crystal in terms of the lattice vectors, we define the translation operator $\hat{T}_{\alpha,\beta,\gamma}$ in such a way that
2. To describe the translation through the crystal in terms of the lattice vectors, we define the translation operator $\hat{T}_{\alpha,\beta,\gamma}$ in such a way that $$
2. Show that $\hat{T}_{\alpha,\beta,\gamma}$ and $\hat{H}$ commute.
Show that $\hat{T}_{\alpha,\beta,\gamma}$ and $\hat{H}$ commute.
3. Show that the Bloch wavefunctions defined in the lecture notes are eigenfunctions of $\hat{T}_{\alpha,\beta,\gamma}$. What are the corresponding eigenvalues? What does this say about the eigenfunctions of $\hat{H}$.
5. By applying $\hat{H}$ to the Bloch wavefunction, show that the Schrödinger equation can be rewritten as $$
4. By applying $\hat{H}$ to the Bloch wavefunction, show that the Schrödinger equation can be rewritten as $$
@@ -298,6 +295,7 @@ where $\mathbf{\hat{p}} =-i\hbar\nabla$.
### Exercise 2: the central equation in 1D
Let's consider a 1D crystal with a periodicity of $a$.
Let $k_0$ be any wave number of an electron in the first Brillouin zone.
1. Which $k_n$ are equivalent to $k_0$ in this crystal?
2. First, we assume that the electrons with these $k_n$ are free. In that case, what are the wavefunctions $\phi_n(x)$ and energies $E_n$ of these electrons?
3. Make a sketch of the dispersion relation using a repeated Brillouin zone representation. Indicate some $k_n$ and $E_n$ as well as the first Brillouin zone in your sketch.