Modern Band Theory of Disordered Alloys: Basic Concepts Including a Discussion of Momentum Densities

Abstract

Abstract An overview of some of the basic concepts in the modern first-principles band theory of disordered alloys is given. The question of how the notion of Bloch energy bands and Fermi surfaces generalizes to the case of the disordered system, insofar as the average electronic spectrum is concerned, is stressed. The theory is illustrated with examples chosen from the work on binary alloys; a few examples of the very recent studies of disordered phases of the high-Tc superconductors are also included. The application of the alloy theory to obtain electron and electron-positron momentum densities involved in the analysis of Compton scattering and positron annihilation (angular correlation) experiments in alloys is discussed, with a selection of relevant theoretical and experimental studies.