Electrical, Magnetic, Optical, and Thermal Properties

Abstract

This chapter begins by considering electrons that are free to move through the lattice with no interactions with other electrons or with the ion cores. The free electron gas model is particularly good for describing the behavior of electrons in some metals. Outer shell electrons are assumed not to be bound at all to the ion core and are able to move freely through the lattice with no interaction with each other or with the ion cores. The simple free electron metal model has made important contributions to our understanding of the heat capacity of solids, electrical conductivity, the effects of magnetic fields, thermal conductivity, and many other subjects involving bulk solids. When the electrons are near ion cores, however, the dispersion relation is modified since the electron wave will be reflected by the periodic structure of the ion cores.