## The Delta Function Model of a Crystal *

The Kronig-Penny model of a solid crystal contains an infinite array of repulsive delta functions.

Our states will have positive energy.

This potential has a new symmetry, that a translation by the lattice spacing leaves the problem unchanged. The probability distributions must therefore have this symmetry

which means that the wave function differs by a phase at most.

The general solution in the region is

By matching the boundary conditions and requiring that the probability be periodic, we derive a constraint on similar to the quantized energies for bound states.

Since can only take on values between -1 and 1, there are allowed bands of and gaps between those bands.

The graph below shows as a function of . If this is not between -1 and 1, there is no solution, that value of and the corresponding energy are not allowed.

This energy band phenomenon is found in solids. Solids with partially filled bands are conductors. Solids with filled bands are insulators. Semiconductors have a small number of charge carriers (or holes) in a band.

Jim Branson 2013-04-22