@@ -8,24 +8,17 @@ from common import draw_classic_axes, configure_plotting
configure_plotting()
```
# Lecture 2A & 2B – Free electron model
# Lectures 2A & 2B – Drude theory and the free electron model
_(based on chapters 3–4 of the book)_
Exercises 3.1, 3.3, 4.2, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7
The learning goals of lecture 2A are to understand:
!!! summary "Learning goals"
- the basics of 'Drude theory', describing electron motion in metals.
- how Drude theory predicts the generation of a 'Hall voltage' for electrons moving through a conductor in an electric and a magnetic field.
- central terms such as mobility and the Hall resistance.
The learning goals of lecture 2B are to understand:
- how to calculate the electron density of states in 1D, 2D, and 3D using the Sommerfeld free-electron model.
- how to express the total number and energy of particles in a system in terms of an integral over k-space.
- how to use the Fermi function to extend the previous learning goal to finite T.
- how to calculate the electron contribution to the specific heat of a solid.
- central terms such as the Fermi energy, Fermi temperature, and Fermi wavevector.
After this lecture you will be able to:
- discuss the basics of 'Drude theory', which describes electron motion in metals.
- use Drude theory to analyze transport of electrons through conductors in electric and magnetic fields.
- describe central terms such as the mobility and the Hall resistance.
### Drude theory
Ohm's law states that $V=IR=I\rho\frac{l}{A}$. In this lecture we will investigate where this law comes from. We will use the theory developed by Paul Drude in 1900, which is based on three assumptions:
@@ -93,6 +86,18 @@ where $R_{\rm H}=-\frac{1}{ne}$ is the _Hall resistance_. So by measuring the Ha
While most materials have $R_{\rm H}>0$, interestingly some materials are found to have $R_{\rm H}<0$. This would imply that the charge carriers either have a positive charge, or a negative mass. We will see later (chapter 17) how to interpret this.
### Sommerfeld theory (free electron model)
!!! summary "Learning goals"
After this lecture you will be able to:
- calculate the electron density of states in 1D, 2D, and 3D using the Sommerfeld free-electron model.
- express the number and energy of particles in a system using integrals over k-space.
- use the Fermi function to extend the previous learning goal to finite T.
- calculate the electron contribution to the specific heat of a solid.
- describe central terms such as the Fermi energy, Fermi temperature, and Fermi wavevector.
Atoms in a metal provide conduction electrons from their outer shells (often s-shells). These can be described as waves in the crystal, analogous to phonons. Hamiltonian of a free electron: