Abstract

We show theoretically that nonrelativistic nearly‐free electrons in solids should experience a trembling motion (Zitterbewegung, ZB) in absence of external fields, similarly to relativistic electrons in vacuum. The Zitterbewegung is directly related to the influence of periodic potential on the free electron motion. The frequency of ZB is ω ≈ Eg/ℏ, where Eg is the energy gap. The amplitude of ZB can be of the order of nanometers. In contrast to nearly‐free electrons we consider a two‐band model of tightly bound electrons. We show that also in this case the electrons should experience the trembling motion. It is concluded that the phenomenon of Zitterbewegung of electrons in crystalline solids is a rule rather than an exception.

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