The Kronig-Penney Model - Engineering Physics

The Kronig-Penney Model 

Kronig and Penney examined the behavior of electrons in a periodic potential by considering a relatively simple and one-dimensional model. It is assumed that the potential energy of an electron has the shape of a square well as shown in fig. The period of potential is (a+b) 

 

This type of periodic potential is an approximation of the actual picture.

Now Schrodinger wave eq. for the two regions can be written as,  

 ...(1)

And 

 ...(2)

It is assumed that E the energy of an electron is smaller than

Let  And  ...(3)

Whereandare two real quantities.

So eq. (1) and (2) become 

 ...(4)

 ...(5)

Since the potential is periodic, so the solution of eq. (4) and (5) must be of the form of Bloch functions i.e.

 …(6)

Where is the periodic function x with period (a+b)

And

Or 

 ...(7)

Putting eq. (6) and (7) in eq. (4) and (5), we get

 ...(8)

 ...(9)

Where represents the value ofin the intervalandrepresents the value of  in the interval

The solutions of these equations are  

 ...(10)

 ...(11)

Where A, B, C and D are arbitrary constants which can be determined by following boundary conditions.

 ...(12a)

 ...(12b)

 ...(12c)

 ...(12d)

Applying these boundary conditions to eqns. (10) and (11), we get

 ...(13a)

 ...(13b)

 ...(13c)

...(13d)

These eqns can be solved for non-zero value of A, B, C and D only if the determinant of the coefficient of A, B, C and D becomes zero.

On solving, we get

 ...(14)

In order to make the situation more simple, Kronig and Penney considered the height of the potential barrier is very large. i.eand simultaneously the width of the barrierin such a way that the productremain finite.

Under these circumstances, eq. (14) becomes

This eq. can be written more simply as 

 ...(15)

Where  ...(16)

Which is a measure of the areaof the potential barrier. Large value of P means that given electron is more strongly bound to a particular potential well.

Now R.H.S of eq. (1.72) can assume values between +1 and -1 and hence only those value ofare allowed which make L.H.S of this eq. lie between +1. 

Fig shows left hand side of this equation as a function offor values. Sinceis proportional to energy E, hence abscissa gives a measure of energy. 

The conclusions exclude from the above figure are given below.

1. The energy spectrum of the electrons consists of energy bands allowed and forbidden.

2. The width of the allowed energy region or band increases with increasing values of  or energy.

3. In case, the allowed region becomes infinitely narrow.

Since as 

i.e ifwith 

and from Eq. (3), we obtain 
for 

This is the result we obtain for a particle in a box of atomic dimensions with a constant potential i.e. electron tightly bound and tunneling through the barriers becomes improbable. This shows the case of an insulator.

In case when, we obtain

Hence

This represents the energy of a completely free electron for which any energy value is possible. This shows the case of the conductor. 

 4. E-K diagram

Right-hand side ofof eq. (15) is an even periodic function and its value does not change whether Ka is positive or negative. As a result, the total energy E of the electron is an even periodic function of K with a period. This periodic repetition of energy is shown in fig. A. This may be considered as obtained by the repetition of the region, this is the first Brillouin zone. This representation is known as the periodic zone scheme.

However, there are two other schemes, the reduced zone scheme, and the extended zone scheme. These are shown in figures below-

We find that discontinuities occur at

                                                         

, where n=1,2,3…..

These K value define the boundaries of the first, second and third Brillouin zones. If we consider a line representing K values, divided into energy discontinuities into segments of lengthas shown in Fig. , these line segments are called Brillouin zones.

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