Cyclotron Resonance and Energy Band Structures

Abstract

Cyclotron resonance experiments were successfully used to determine the effective masses of electrons in the conduction band and holes in the valence bands. Electrons are subject to rotational motion in a magnetic field (cyclotron motion) and resonantly absorb the radiation fields (microwaves or infrared radiation) when the cyclotron frequency is equal to the radiation frequency. The resonant condition gives the effective mass of the electron. Analyzing the cyclotron resonance data of Ge and Si, detailed information of the electrons in the conduction band valleys. In addition, the analysis of the hole masses based on the $$\boldsymbol{k}\cdot \boldsymbol{p}$$ perturbation reveals the detailed valence band structures such as the heavy hole, light hole, and spin–orbit split–off bands. The non-parabolicity of the conduction band is also discussed. Quantum mechanical treatment of the electrons in the conduction band and holes in the valence bands leads us to draw the picture of Landau levels which is used to understand magnetotransport in Chap. 7 and quantum Hall effect in Chap. 8 .