Motion of Electrons and Transport Phenomena

Abstract

A number of important phenomena such as electrical and thermal conductivity are based on the motion of electrons in solids. The description of electron motion goes beyond our previous considerations since it involves a time-dependent Schrödinger equation; previously we have discussed only the time-independent Schrödinger equation and results for thermodynamic equilibrium (Fermi statistics, etc.). The present chapter deals with the question of how electrons in bands behave, if, for example, an external electric field is applied, so that thermodynamic equilibrium is disturbed. The simplest case is that of the stationary state, where the external forces, an electric field or temperature gradient for example, are independent of time.