Band gap engineering and (k)over-right-arrow . (π)over-right-arrow electronic structure of lead and tin tellurides

We study the effect of the variation of energy gap on the (k) over right arrow . (pi) over right arrow electronic structure of PbTe and SnTe, using a six-level basis at the L point. The basis functions in both the systems have the same transformation properties. However, the basis functions of the band edge states in SnTe are reversed with respect to the same in PbTe. Band dispersions are obtained analytically for a two band model. As the band gap decreases, the bands become linear. Far bands are included in the electronic dispersion, using perturbation theory. Fermi energy and the Density of States at the Fermi energy, D(epsilon(F)), are calculated for different carrier concentrations and energy gaps through a self-consistent approach. Interesting results are seen when the energy gap is reduced from the respective equilibrium values. For both the systems, the Fermi energy increases as the gap is decreased. The behavior of D(epsilon(F)) is, however, different. It decreases with the gap. It is also on expected lines. Calculated values of the electronic effective mass, as a function of temperature, energy gap and carrier concentration, are compared with previously published data. As distinguished from a first principles calculation, the work has focused on the carrier dependent electronic parameters for use both by theorists and experimenters as well.