PHYSICS · Subjective · Fermi University Physics · Condensed Matter, Materials & Soft Matter · Crystal structure, bonding and diffraction · Free electrons, energy bands and electronic structure
Condensed Matter Physics, Ch Tight binding, band filling and the three kinds of solid
Problem
Strontium crystallises face-centred cubic, with one atom per primitive cell and two valence electrons on each atom, and is known experimentally to be a metal, with a resistivity comparable to calcium's. Explain, using this chapter's ideas, why strontium is not an insulator despite its even electron count, and say what must be true of its band structure.