Computer aided teaching of energy band theory in solids

The formation of energy bands in crystals is a consequence of the periodicity of the lattice potential. By numerically solving the time-independent Schrodinger equation for a structure of repetitive potential wells, the authors show how bands are formed and how Brillouin zones can easily be obtained. By introducing a perturbation in the wells, they also get insight into polycrystalline solids and impurity states.