Section 11.6: Exploring Finite Lattices by Adding Defects

Please wait for the animation to completely load.

Shown in the animation is a finite lattice of five finite wells.  Each slider controls the amount of potential energy bias you can add to each finite well.  In doing so, you essentially add a defect in the finite lattice: a finite well that is not like the others.  To see the other bound states simply click-drag in the energy level diagram on the left to select a level. The selected level will turn red.   Restart.

  1. When all of the wells are the same, what do the energy levels of the lattice look like?
  2. Bias each one of the wells individually, both positively and negatively.  What do the energy levels of the lattice look like now?  How does the wave function behave in the region near the defect?
  3. Bias two of the wells in exactly the same way, either positively or negatively.  What do the energy levels of the lattice look like now?

 

© 2006 by Prentice-Hall, Inc. A Pearson Company