Why does energy gaps arise in a periodic potential? In this video, we will answer this question using the Kronig-Penney model, an easily solvable 1D periodic potential problem first proposed by Ralph Kronig and Lord Penney. In our previous discussion of Bloch’s theorem, we focused on the eigenstates of electrons in a periodic potential and showed that they are plane-wave like. Here, we are going to focus on the eigenvalues of Bloch states instead and take advantage of the Kronig-penney model to this end. You will see the emergence of energy gaps and the electronic structure.

Technical Content: Duarte Sousa, Tony Low
Video Production: Katie Low, Tony Low

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