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Effective Mass (solid-state Physics)
In solid state physics, a particle's effective mass (often denoted m^*) is the mass that it ''seems'' to have when responding to forces, or the mass that it seems to have when interacting with other identical particles in a thermal distribution. One of the results from the band theory of solids is that the movement of particles in a periodic potential, over long distances larger than the lattice spacing, can be very different from their motion in a vacuum. The effective mass is a quantity that is used to simplify band structures by modeling the behavior of a free particle with that mass. For some purposes and some materials, the effective mass can be considered to be a simple constant of a material. In general, however, the value of effective mass depends on the purpose for which it is used, and can vary depending on a number of factors. For electrons or electron holes in a solid, the effective mass is usually stated as a factor multiplying the rest mass of an electron, ''m'' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Theoretical Physics
Theoretical physics is a branch of physics that employs mathematical models and abstractions of physical objects and systems to rationalize, explain, and predict List of natural phenomena, natural phenomena. This is in contrast to experimental physics, which uses experimental tools to probe these phenomena. The advancement of science generally depends on the interplay between experimental studies and theory. In some cases, theoretical physics adheres to standards of mathematical rigour while giving little weight to experiments and observations.There is some debate as to whether or not theoretical physics uses mathematics to build intuition and illustrativeness to extract physical insight (especially when normal experience fails), rather than as a tool in formalizing theories. This links to the question of it using mathematics in a less formally rigorous, and more intuitive or heuristic way than, say, mathematical physics. For example, while developing special relativity, Albert E ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ellipsoid
An ellipsoid is a surface that can be obtained from a sphere by deforming it by means of directional Scaling (geometry), scalings, or more generally, of an affine transformation. An ellipsoid is a quadric surface; that is, a Surface (mathematics), surface that may be defined as the zero set of a polynomial of degree two in three variables. Among quadric surfaces, an ellipsoid is characterized by either of the two following properties. Every planar Cross section (geometry), cross section is either an ellipse, or is empty, or is reduced to a single point (this explains the name, meaning "ellipse-like"). It is Bounded set, bounded, which means that it may be enclosed in a sufficiently large sphere. An ellipsoid has three pairwise perpendicular Rotational symmetry, axes of symmetry which intersect at a Central symmetry, center of symmetry, called the center of the ellipsoid. The line segments that are delimited on the axes of symmetry by the ellipsoid are called the ''principal ax ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hessian Matrix
In mathematics, the Hessian matrix, Hessian or (less commonly) Hesse matrix is a square matrix of second-order partial derivatives of a scalar-valued Function (mathematics), function, or scalar field. It describes the local curvature of a function of many variables. The Hessian matrix was developed in the 19th century by the German mathematician Otto Hesse, Ludwig Otto Hesse and later named after him. Hesse originally used the term "functional determinants". The Hessian is sometimes denoted by H or \nabla\nabla or \nabla^2 or \nabla\otimes\nabla or D^2. Definitions and properties Suppose f : \R^n \to \R is a function taking as input a vector \mathbf \in \R^n and outputting a scalar f(\mathbf) \in \R. If all second-order partial derivatives of f exist, then the Hessian matrix \mathbf of f is a square n \times n matrix, usually defined and arranged as \mathbf H_f= \begin \dfrac & \dfrac & \cdots & \dfrac \\[2.2ex] \dfrac & \dfrac & \cdots & \dfrac \\[2.2ex] \vdots & \vdot ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Vector Calculus Identities
The following are important identities involving derivatives and integrals in vector calculus. Operator notation Gradient For a function f(x, y, z) in three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate variables, the gradient is the vector field: : \operatorname(f) = \nabla f = \begin\displaystyle \frac,\ \frac,\ \frac \end f = \frac \mathbf + \frac \mathbf + \frac \mathbf where i, j, k are the standard unit vectors for the ''x'', ''y'', ''z''-axes. More generally, for a function of ''n'' variables \psi(x_1, \ldots, x_n), also called a scalar field, the gradient is the vector field: \nabla\psi = \begin\displaystyle\frac, \ldots, \frac \end\psi = \frac \mathbf_1 + \dots + \frac\mathbf_n where \mathbf_ \, (i=1,2,..., n) are mutually orthogonal unit vectors. As the name implies, the gradient is proportional to, and points in the direction of, the function's most rapid (positive) change. For a vector field \mathbf = \left(A_1, \ldots, A_n\right), also called a tensor fi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Total Derivative
In mathematics, the total derivative of a function at a point is the best linear approximation near this point of the function with respect to its arguments. Unlike partial derivatives, the total derivative approximates the function with respect to all of its arguments, not just a single one. In many situations, this is the same as considering all partial derivatives simultaneously. The term "total derivative" is primarily used when is a function of several variables, because when is a function of a single variable, the total derivative is the same as the ordinary derivative of the function. The total derivative as a linear map Let U \subseteq \R^n be an open subset. Then a function f:U \to \R^m is said to be (totally) differentiable at a point a\in U if there exists a linear transformation df_a:\R^n \to \R^m such that :\lim_ \frac=0. The linear map df_a is called the (total) derivative or (total) differential of f at a. Other notations for the total derivative inc ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Reciprocal Space
Reciprocal lattice is a concept associated with solids with translational symmetry which plays a major role in many areas such as X-ray diffraction, X-ray and Electron diffraction, electron diffraction as well as the Electronic band structure, energies of electrons in a solid. It emerges from the Fourier transform of the lattice (group), lattice associated with the arrangement of the atoms. The ''direct lattice'' or ''real lattice'' is a periodic function in Space (physics), physical space, such as a crystal system (usually a Bravais lattice). The reciprocal lattice exists in the mathematical space of spatial frequencies or wavenumbers ''k'', known as reciprocal space or ''k'' space; it is the dual of physical space considered as a vector space. In other words, the reciprocal lattice is the sublattice which Dual lattice, is dual to the direct lattice. The reciprocal lattice is the set of all vector (geometric), vectors \mathbf_m, that are wave vector, wavevectors k of plane waves ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Del Operator
Del, or nabla, is an operator used in mathematics (particularly in vector calculus) as a vector differential operator, usually represented by the nabla symbol ∇. When applied to a function defined on a one-dimensional domain, it denotes the standard derivative of the function as defined in calculus. When applied to a ''field'' (a function defined on a multi-dimensional domain), it may denote any one of three operations depending on the way it is applied: the gradient or (locally) steepest slope of a scalar field (or sometimes of a vector field, as in the Navier–Stokes equations); the divergence of a vector field; or the curl (rotation) of a vector field. Del is a very convenient mathematical notation for those three operations (gradient, divergence, and curl) that makes many equations easier to write and remember. The del symbol (or nabla) can be formally defined as a vector operator whose components are the corresponding partial derivative operators. As a vector operat ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Group Velocity
The group velocity of a wave is the velocity with which the overall envelope shape of the wave's amplitudes—known as the ''modulation'' or ''envelope (waves), envelope'' of the wave—propagates through space. For example, if a stone is thrown into the middle of a very still pond, a circular pattern of waves with a quiescent center appears in the water, also known as a capillary wave. The expanding ring of waves is the wave group or wave packet, within which one can discern individual waves that travel faster than the group as a whole. The amplitudes of the individual waves grow as they emerge from the trailing edge of the group and diminish as they approach the leading edge of the group. History The idea of a group velocity distinct from a wave's phase velocity was first proposed by William Rowan Hamilton, W.R. Hamilton in 1839, and the first full treatment was by John Strutt, 3rd Baron Rayleigh, Rayleigh in his "Theory of Sound" in 1877. Definition and interpretation ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Reduced Planck Constant
The Planck constant, or Planck's constant, denoted by h, is a fundamental physical constant of foundational importance in quantum mechanics: a photon's energy is equal to its frequency multiplied by the Planck constant, and the wavelength of a matter wave equals the Planck constant divided by the associated particle momentum. The constant was postulated by Max Planck in 1900 as a proportionality constant needed to explain experimental black-body radiation. Planck later referred to the constant as the "quantum of action". In 1905, Albert Einstein associated the "quantum" or minimal element of the energy to the electromagnetic wave itself. Max Planck received the 1918 Nobel Prize in Physics "in recognition of the services he rendered to the advancement of Physics by his discovery of energy quanta". In metrology, the Planck constant is used, together with other constants, to define the kilogram, the SI unit of mass. The SI units are defined in such a way that, when the Pla ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Crystal Momentum
In solid-state physics, crystal momentum or quasimomentum is a Momentum#Momentum in quantum mechanics, momentum-like Vector (geometric), vector associated with electrons in a Crystal structure, crystal lattice. It is defined by the associated Reciprocal lattice, wave vectors \mathbf of this lattice, according to \mathbf_ \equiv \hbar \mathbf (where \hbar is the reduced Planck constant). Frequently, crystal momentum is Momentum#Conservation, conserved like mechanical momentum, making it useful to physicists and materials scientists as an analytical tool. Lattice symmetry origins A common method of modeling crystal structure and behavior is to view electrons as Quantum mechanics, quantum mechanical particles traveling through a fixed infinite periodic potential V(x) such that V(\mathbf + \mathbf) = V(\mathbf), where \mathbf is an arbitrary Bravais lattice, lattice vector. Such a model is sensible because crystal Ion, ions that form the lattice structure are typically on the order ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Newton's Second Law
Newton's laws of motion are three physical laws that describe the relationship between the motion of an object and the forces acting on it. These laws, which provide the basis for Newtonian mechanics, can be paraphrased as follows: # A body remains at rest, or in motion at a constant speed in a straight line, unless it is acted upon by a force. # At any instant of time, the net force on a body is equal to the body's acceleration multiplied by its mass or, equivalently, the rate at which the body's momentum is changing with time. # If two bodies exert forces on each other, these forces have the same magnitude but opposite directions. The three laws of motion were first stated by Isaac Newton in his ''Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica'' (''Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy''), originally published in 1687. Newton used them to investigate and explain the motion of many physical objects and systems. In the time since Newton, new insights, especially around t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Carrier Mobility
In solid-state physics, the electron mobility characterizes how quickly an electron can move through a metal or semiconductor when pushed or pulled by an electric field. There is an analogous quantity for holes, called hole mobility. The term carrier mobility refers in general to both electron and hole mobility. Electron and hole mobility are special cases of electrical mobility of charged particles in a fluid under an applied electric field. When an electric field ''E'' is applied across a piece of material, the electrons respond by moving with an average velocity called the drift velocity, v_d. Then the electron mobility ''μ'' is defined as v_d = \mu E. Electron mobility is almost always specified in units of cm2/( V⋅ s). This is different from the SI unit of mobility, m2/( V⋅ s). They are related by 1 m2/(V⋅s) = 104 cm2/(V⋅s). Conductivity is proportional to the product of mobility and carrier concentration. For example, the same conductivity could come fro ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
