MSE303: Electronic and Magnetic Properties of Materials

Practice Problems Set 1

Topics covered: Drude and Sommerfelds model, Quantum Mechanics Review, Free Electron Theory,
Crystal Structure and Brillouin Zone, Empty Lattice Model
1. A thin film of Al of length 10 cm, width 2 cm and thickness 200 m is deposited on a glass substrate
(glass). On applying 1 mV across the length of the sample, we get a current of 2 A. Calculate
resistance, resistivity and sheet resistance of the film. (Note: sheet resistivity of thin films is defined
as , where is resistivity and is thickness. Though the unit of sheet resistance is same as the
unit of resistance (), it is represented as /sq to differentiate between the two.)
2. Calculate ! ! for Li, Na, K and Ca.
3. For Na, (300K) is 1.17 x 107 mhos/m [(ohm-cm)-1]. Calculate:
i) The relaxation time at 300K
ii) The mean free path between two successive collisions at 300K according to Drudes model.
iii) The drift velocity of electrons in electric field of 100 V/m and compare it to average thermal
velocity.
4. Calculate the Fermi energy F in eV at T = 0K in the free-electron model for a metal with 4 x 1022
atoms/cm3 for the case where there is one electron per atom contributing to band structure. What
is the wave-vector F? What is the Fermi velocity F? What should be the temperature according
to classical theory for average electron velocity to be equal to the Fermi velocity?
5. Show that the reciprocal primitive unit cell of a BCC structure is FCC and that of a FCC structure is
BCC.
6. For BCC lattice calculate and plot curves in directions for band indices (), 000, 100, 100,
010, 010, 001, 001. Use a plotting software (Excel, Matlab etc.) but do at least few calculations
manually.
7. Derive standing wave solutions for time-independent Schrdinger equation in 1-D for electron in an
infinite potential box and a finite potential (! ) box.