- #1
Elvex
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Homework Statement
Evaluate the integrals (eqns 5.108 and 5.109) for the case of identical fermions at absolute zero.
Homework Equations
5.108
[tex]N=\frac{V}{2\pi^{2}}\int_{0}^{\infty}\frac{k^2}{e^{[(\hbar^{2}k^{2}/2m)-\mu]/kT}+1}dk[/tex]
5.109
[tex]E=\frac{V}{2\pi^2}\frac{\hbar^2}{2m}\int_0^{\infty}\frac{k^4}{e^{[(\hbar^{2}k^{2}/2m)-\mu]/kT}+1}dk[/tex]
The Attempt at a Solution
Ok so at absolute zero, the chemical potential is equal to the fermi energy E_f. I'm not sure how to approach either integral because of the T dependence in the denominator in the argument of the exponential.
Aren't there two cases, one for the energy of the state being above the chemical potential, and another for it being less than.
If the energy is less, then the argument goes to - infinite, and the integral is just of k^2, from 0 to infinite... that doesn't seem right.
If the energy is greater than mu, then the argument goes to positive infinite, and the integrand goes to 0. Fantastic.
There's got to be something going on with the expressions in the argument of hte exponential to give a reasonable integrand for T=0.
I think I'm missing some crucial observation.