Vibrational Properties of Semiconductors, and Electron-Phonon Interactions

Abstract

We will start the discussion of the vibrational properties of semiconductors by reviewing the theory of the dynamics of a crystalline lattice. The Hamiltonian describing a perfect crystal has already been given in (2.1). We note that the electrons have been separated into two groups. The core electrons are assumed to move rigidly with the nucleus to form what has been referred to as the ion. The valence electrons interact with these ions via the pseudopotentials.