Consider two single-particle states, A and B, in a system of fermions, where ϵA=μ-xand ϵB=μ+x; that is, level A lies below μ by the same amount that level B lies above μ. Prove that the probability of level B being occupied is the same as the probability of level A being unoccupied. In other words, the Fermi-Dirac distribution is "symmetrical" about the point where ϵ=μ.

Short Answer

Expert verified

It is proved that the probability of level B being occupied is the same as the probability of level A being unoccupied.

Step by step solution

01

Step 1. Givne Information

We are given that the level A lies below μ by the same amount that level B lies above μ.

We have to prove thatthe probability of level B being occupied is the same as the probability of level A being unoccupied.

02

Step 2. Fermi-Dirac distribution

Using the Fermi-Dirac distribution to calculate the probability of state B being occupied as follows:

P(Boccupied)=1e4ε0-μUT+1

Here, εBis the energy for the occupled state of B,μ is the chemical potential, k is the Boltzmann's constant, and T is the temperature.

The energy for the occupied state of B is,

εB=μ+x

Substitute μ+xfor εB in the equation and simplifying, we get

P(Boccupied)=1et(μ+x-μ)kT+1=1exkT+1

03

Step 3. Probability of state A

The probability of state A being unoccupied is as follows,

P(AUnoccupied)=1-P(Aoccupied)

Using the Fermi-Dirac distribution, the probability of state A being occupied is as follows,

P(Aoccupied)=1e+εA-μNT+1

Where εA is the energy for the occupied state of A.

Substituting the values, we get

P(AUnoccupied)=1-1e+εA-μkT

The energy for the occupied state of A is,

εA=μ-x

Substituting the values, we get

P(AUnoccupied)=1-1e+(μ-x-μ)kT+1=1-1e-xkT+1=e-xkTe-xkT+1=11+exkT

04

Step 4. Proving the Probability

Now, substituting P(Aunoccupied)=11+exkTin the equation,

P(Boccupied)=1exkT+1, we get

P(Boccupied)=P(Aunoccupied)

Hence, the probability of level B being occupied is same as the probability of level A being unoccupied or the Fermi-Dirac distribution being symmetrical about the point where ε=μ.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Problem 7.67. In the first achievement of Bose-Einstein condensation with atomic hydrogen, a gas of approximately 2×1010atoms was trapped and cooled until its peak density was1.8×1014atoms/cm3. Calculate the condensation temperature for this system, and compare to the measured value of50μK.

In Section 6.5 I derived the useful relation F=-kTln(Z)between the Helmholtz free energy and the ordinary partition function. Use analogous argument to prove that ϕ=-kT×ln(Z^), where Z^ is the grand partition function and ϕis the grand free energy introduced in Problem 5.23.

Problem 7.69. If you have a computer system that can do numerical integrals, it's not particularly difficult to evaluate μforT>Tc.

(a) As usual when solving a problem on a computer, it's best to start by putting everything in terms of dimensionless variables. So define t=T/Tc,c=μ/kTc,andx=ϵ/kTc. Express the integral that defines , equation 7.22, in terms of these variables. You should obtain the equation

2.315=0xdxe(x-c)/t-1

(b) According to Figure

the correct value of cwhen T=2Tcis approximately -0.8. Plug in these values and check that the equation above is approximately satisfied.

(c) Now vary μ, holding Tfixed, to find the precise value of μfor T=2Tc. Repeat for values of T/Tcranging from 1.2up to 3.0, in increments of 0.2. Plot a graph of μas a function of temperature.

Consider a system of five particles, inside a container where the allowed energy levels are nondegenerate and evenly spaced. For instance, the particles could be trapped in a one-dimensional harmonic oscillator potential. In this problem you will consider the allowed states for this system, depending on whether the particles are identical fermions, identical bosons, or distinguishable particles.

(a) Describe the ground state of this system, for each of these three cases.

(b) Suppose that the system has one unit of energy (above the ground state). Describe the allowed states of the system, for each of the three cases. How many possible system states are there in each case?

(c) Repeat part (b) for two units of energy and for three units of energy.

(d) Suppose that the temperature of this system is low, so that the total energy is low (though not necessarily zero). In what way will the behavior of the bosonic system differ from that of the system of distinguishable particles? Discuss.

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