MSE 825: Solid State Physics (Spring 2019)

Practice Midterm Exam

March 28, 2019

Name:
Students may NOT collaborate on homework assignments, examinations, or use Internet archival resources.
All students are required to oblige by the Engineering Honor Pledge, which is as follows: “I have neither
given nor received aid on this examination.”
It is a violation of the Honor Code for students to submit as their own work which is not the result of their
own labor and thought. Work which includes material derived in any way from the efforts of another author,
either by direct quotation or paraphrasing, should be fully documented. Any attempt to use fraudulent data
for a report or presentation is a violation of the Honor Code.

1
1 Question
The solution of the quantum mechanical harmonic oscillator results in quantized energy levels of the the
form;
1
En = hv(n + ) n = 0, 1, 2, . . . (1)
2
where
k 1
ω = ( )2 (2)
µ
and
1 k 1
ν= ( )2 . (3)
2π µ
The stiffness constant of the spring is represented by k and µ is the reduced mass. The wave functions
corresponding to the En are given by
2
ψn (x) = Nn Hn (α1/2 x) exp−αx /2
(4)

where α = ( kµ
~2 )
1/2
and the normalization constant is

(α/π)1/4
Nn = . (5)
(2n n!)1/2

The first five Hermite polynomials are

H0 (ξ) = 1 (6)
H1 (ξ) = 2ξ (7)
H2 (ξ) = 4ξ 2 − 2 (8)
3
H3 (ξ) = 8ξ − 12ξ (9)
4 2
H4 (ξ) = 16ξ − 48ξ + 12. (10)

1. What is the “Correspondence Principle”?

2. Sketch up the probability densities |ψn |2 for n = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4. What can you say about the relation
of the probability densities of the quantum mechanical harmonic oscillator with regard to a classical
oscillator? What necessitates the appearance of a n = 0 wavefunction (often referred to as the zero-
point energy).
3. What is the theorem of equipartition of energy as its applied in statistical mechanics?
4. What is the Born-Oppenheimer approximation? When and why is it used?
———————————————————————————————————

2
2 Question
López indicated in the article entitled “Three-dimensional photonic bandgap materials: semiconductors for
light” (J. Opt. A: Pure Appl. Opt. 8 (2006) R1R14) that photonic crystals can be utilized for both
waveguiding and to construct low-threshold lasers. As stated in the article:
...This is a means to store energy and to guide it along paths drawn in the photonic crystal
(PC) by a series of defects. The former can lead to the concept of a PC laser [65] whereas the
latter is being extensively used for waveguiding. Typically a photonic bandgap (PBG) laser is
based on the coupling of an electronic part (capable of producing light through recombination of
electron hole pairs) with a photonic one (capable of inhibiting the spontaneous emission through
a PBG). If a channel is provided for emission it is possible to balance gain and losses to produce
amplification and laser action. Usually 2D PCs are employed, with confinement in the vertical
direction being provided by total internal reflection and a single or a few missing holes acting as
the defect concentrating energy. Optical pumping was initially employed but electrical pumping
is also possible and has already been realized [66]...
Shkunov et al. in “Tunable, Gap-State Lasing in Switchable Directions for Opal Photonic Crystals” (Adv.
Funct. Mater. 12 (2002) 21-26) was able to demonstrate an opaline laser based on the structure in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Opaline-based laser; device structure.

1. What are the essential features of a opaline structure (cf. Figure 1) that allows it to act a structure for
a laser?
2. The core component of making a opaline-based laser requires that fluorescent dye be infiltered inside
the stucture. The lasing wavelength can be altered by (1) changing the laser dye or (2) observing a
different set of lattice planes (cf. Figure 2) . Explain how these two approaches result in a different
lasing wavelength being observed.

3
 Figure 2: Opaline-based laser; dye characteristics.

3. Based on the SEM image of the sterically packed balls (cf. Figure 1) and the fact that most people who
publish self-assembled nanoparticles “lie” with their images to overemphasize the order in the system,
what do you think the quality factor is for this cavity relative to a similar one produced by e-beam
lithography? Explain.
4. If two batches of particles with slightly different sizes were mixed together and an opal was constructed
from this mixture would the quality factor go up or down relative to the structure in the SEM figure?
Explain. Would the laser lase? Explain.
5. I want to make a near-infrared (NIR) laser. I have a photoluminescence dye that has a peak emission
at 1000 nm. What design consideration do I need to worry about to insure that I can modify the opal
approach of Shkunov et al. and make an NIR laser?

4
3 Question
1. With regard to the photonic bandstructure of a natural occurring opal gemstone (cf. Figure 3), explain
how these gemstones “glitter” when they are rotated. Assume that the viewing angle starts at the L
position.

Figure 3: Bandstructure of fcc opal gemstone.

2. The opal discussed above is composed of 198 nm SiO2 spheres packed with fcc symmetry. A molecule,
which emits at a unitless frequency of 0.65, is inadvertently stuck inside the opal crystal and begins to
emit. If a viewer is looking at the opal from the W position, what would she see? How about if she
rotates the crystal and looks at the crystal from the L position, what would she see?
3. The integral of the density of modes g(ω) between two frequencies, ω1 and ω2 , gives the number of
modes between the two frequencies. Therefor, Rintegrating over all frequencies will result in the total
∞
number of modes of oscillation 3N , i.e., 3N = 0 g(ω)dω. Plot up g(ω) along the ordinate of Figure
3 indicating any points of interest. Is there a full bandgap in Figure 3? What will a full bandgap do
to the function g(ω)?

5
4 Question

Figure 4: X-rays scattered by two lattice points.

1. Use Figure 4 to the generate the general equation for constructive interference of two scattered waves.
2. Can the equation you found be used to develop the scattering criteria ∆k = G? Why or why not? If
you can, do it.
3. Develop the equation 2k·G = G2 from ∆k = G stating any assumptions. How can you use this former
equation to justify Bragg scattering at the Brillouin zone of a periodic lattice? Show that 2k · G = G2
is equivalent to the Bragg equation.
———————————————————————————————————

6
5 Question

Figure 5: Ewald sphere.

1. Figure 5 presents a schematic of the Ewald sphere. Explain how this sphere can be used to describe
diffraction in a periodic lattice.
———————————————————————————————————

7
6 Question
Consider a system under the influence of a one-dimensional force function of position x, where  and L are
constants:

F (x) = [(L/x)13 − (L/x)7 ] (11)
L
1. Find an expression for the energy function U (x).
Rb
2. Schematically graph U (x); indicate where  and L are on the figure (remember: Wab = − a
f (l) dl).
3. Find the position of equilibrium for the system.
4. Show that position of equilibrium is stable and find the period of small oscillations.
———————————————————————————————————

8
7 Question

Figure 6: Linear chain of identical atoms of lattice constant a. The atoms have mass m and have a restoring
force that is Hookean in nature with force constant γ.

1. Develop the following equation starting from a free body diagram of a particle n.

d2 un
M = −γ[2un − un−1 − un+1 ] (12)
dt2

2. How would Eqn. 12 change if the force constant had two values that alternated from one atom to the
next as γ1 and γ2 ? Write the equation(s) of motion for this situation and describe your procedure for
solving them. What do you think the solution would look like? Consider the situation where γ1 > γ2 .
Describe what happens when γγ21 → ∞ and γγ12 → 1. Sketch out the dispersion curve as a function of k.
———————————————————————————————————

9
8 Question
Knowing that
un (t) = uei(kan−ωt) (13)
is a possible solution to Eqn. 12 (where k = 2π
λ ), reduce Eqn. 12 to:
r r
2γ(1 − cos ka) γ ka
ω(k) = =2 | sin | (14)
M M 2
———————————————————————————————————

10
9 Question
Figure 7 presents a diagram of a linear chain (mass m) with a mass defect (isotope of mass M) at position 0.
The coupling between the atoms is represented by nearest-neighbor springs of constant k and lattice spacing
of a. Assuming a localized mode, described by

xn = x0 e−k(ω)|n|−iωt
for the displacement of the nth atom xn .
1. Draw the free-body diagram and develop the equations for motion.
2. Calculate the eigenfrequency of the linear chain. Specifically discuss the following situations:
(a) M > 2m
(b) M < 2m
(c) m < M < 2m
(d) M < m

Figure 7: Sketch of a linear chain of coupled atoms with an isotope at the position n = 0.
———————————————————————————————————

11
blank sheet

12
10 Question

Figure 8: Dispersion curve of a linear chain of identical atoms of lattice constant a. The atoms have mass m
and have a restoring force that is Hookean in nature with force constant γ.

Figure 8 presents a plot of Eqn. 14. Answer the following questions:

1. According to this curve, where & what is the shortest wavelength that will propagate along the lattice?
2. How can you prove that the 1st Brilloin zone holds all the information necessary to describe the system?
3. How do you think this curve might change if next nearest neighbor interactions were include in Eqn.
12?
4. What is the approximate speed of a wave with λ → ∞?
5. What is the approximate speed of a wave with k = πa ? Prove that your answer is correct. What is the
λ of the wave at this k value. Physically describe what is happening to the waves. What is unique at
this wavelength?
———————————————————————————————————

13
11 Question
For a construction with a spring with constant C parallel to a damping k which is connected to a mass M ,
to which a periodic force F (t) = F̂ cos(ωt) is applied holds the equation of motion mẍ = F (t) − k ẋ − Cx.
With complex amplitudes, this becomes −mω 2 x = F − Cx − ikωx. With ω02 = C/m follows:

F F
x= , and for the velocity holds: ẋ = √
m(ω02 2
− ω ) + ikω i Cmδ + k
ω ω0
where δ = − . The quantity Z = F/ẋ is called the impedance of the system. The quality of the system
ω0 √ ω
Cm
is given by Q = . The frequency with minimal |Z| is called velocity resonance frequency. This is equal
k √
to ω0 . In the resonance curve |Z|/ Cm
√ is plotted against ω/ω0 . The width of this curve is characterized
by the points where |Z(ω)| = |Z(ω0 )| 2. In these points holds: R = X and δ = ±Q−1 , and the width is
2∆ωB = ω0 /Q. The stiffness of an oscillating system is given by F/x. q The amplitude resonance frequency
ωA is the frequency where iωZ is minimal. This is the case for ωA = ω0 1 − 21 Q2 . The damping frequency
r
1
ωD is a measure for the time in which an oscillating system comes to rest. It is given by ωD = ω0 1 − .
4Q2
(1) Graphically present x(t) for the three situations where k 2 < 4mC, k 2 = 4mC, and k 2 > 4mC. Describe
in detail what is happening in these three situations, specifically addressing the quality and the damping
frequency.
(2) In a linear chain of lattice spacing a, particles of mass M are connected by first-neighbor springs of
spring constant C. In addition to the elastic forces, there is a viscous damping force of the form F = −k ẋ
that opposes motion. How does the damping change the frequencies ω = ω(k)? What is the relaxation time
of the modes?
———————————————————————————————————

14
blank sheet

15
12 Question
In general, the total energy of the crystal vibrations can be calculated by multiplying each mode with its
energy and sum over all branches K and polarizations P :
XX XZ ~ω
U= ~ω hnk,p i = Dλ (ω) dω
exp(~ω/kT ) − 1
K P λ

for a given polarization λ. The thermal heat capacity is then:

∂U XZ (~ω/kT )2 exp(~ω/kT )
Clattice = =k D(ω) dω
∂T (exp(~ω/kT ) − 1)2
λ

The dispersion relation in one dimension is given by:

L dK L dω
D(ω)dω = dω =
π dω π vg

(1) Using the previous discussion, develop the functional form of the total energy and heat capacity of the
Debye model. Plot up the total energy and heat capacity as a function of temperature using representative
values from the literature.
(2) Using the previous discussion, develop the functional form of the total energy and heat capacity of the
Einstein model. Plot up the total energy and heat capacity as a function of temperature using representative
values from the literature.
(3) Compare and contrast the Debye model and Einstein model for predicting heat capacities.
———————————————————————————————————

16
blank sheet

17
12.1 Additional information
12.2 Physical constants
Name Symbol Value Unit
Number π π 3.14159265358979323846
Number e e  n 2.71828182845904523536

P
Euler’s constant γ = lim 1/k − ln(n) = 0.5772156649
n→∞ k=1

Elementary charge e 1.60217733 · 10−19 C

Gravitational constant G, κ 6.67259 · 10−11 m3 kg−1 s−2
Fine-structure constant α = e2 /2hcε0 ≈ 1/137
Speed of light in vacuum c 2.99792458 · 108 m/s (def)
Permittivity of the vacuum ε0 8.854187 · 10−12 F/m
Permeability of the vacuum µ0 4π · 10−7 H/m
(4πε0 )−1 8.9876 · 109 Nm2 C−2
Planck’s constant h 6.6260755 · 10−34 Js
Dirac’s constant ~ = h/2π 1.0545727 · 10−34 Js
Bohr magneton µB = e~/2me 9.2741 · 10−24 Am2
Bohr radius a0 0.52918 Å
Rydberg’s constant Ry 13.595 eV
Electron Compton wavelength λCe = h/me c 2.2463 · 10−12 m
Proton Compton wavelength λCp = h/mp c 1.3214 · 10−15 m
Reduced mass of the H-atom µH 9.1045755 · 10−31 kg
Stefan-Boltzmann’s constant σ 5.67032 · 10−8 Wm−2 K−4
Wien’s constant kW 2.8978 · 10−3 mK
Molar gasconstant R 8.31441 J·mol−1 ·K−1
Avogadro’s constant NA 6.0221367 · 1023 mol−1
Boltzmann’s constant k = R/NA 1.380658 · 10−23 J/K
Electron mass me 9.1093897 · 10−31 kg
Proton mass mp 1.6726231 · 10−27 kg
Neutron mass mn 1.674954 · 10−27 kg
Elementary mass unit mu = 1 12
12 m( 6 C) 1.6605656 · 10−27 kg
Nuclear magneton µN 5.0508 · 10−27 J/T

18