Existence of Wannier-Stark localization

Journal Article · Sun Nov 15 04:00:00 EST 1987 · Phys. Rev. B: Condens. Matter; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.36.7353· OSTI ID:5547990

Emin, D; Hart, C F

The eigenstates of an electron in an arbitrarily long periodic chain under the influence of an applied electric field are determined. The interaction of the electron with the electric field is divided into two components. The first component has the lattice periodicity and is incorporated into the system's periodic potential. It describes the electric-field-induced alteration of each of the periodic potential wells. The second component, a nonperiodic steplike function, is shown to have vanishing interband matrix elements. Indeed, it produces Wannier-Stark localization with its eigenvalues yielding Wannier-Stark ladders. Thus it is shown that the Wannier-Stark localization survives consideration of multiple electronic energy bands.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 5547990
• Journal Information: Phys. Rev. B: Condens. Matter; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev. B: Condens. Matter; (United States) Vol. 36:14; ISSN PRBMD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

656002* -- Condensed Matter Physics-- General Techniques in Condensed Matter-- (1987-)
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
BAND THEORY
EIGENSTATES
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE
ELECTRONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
LEPTONS
ONE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
POTENTIALS
SOLIDS
VARIATIONS