Electrons in bismuth

Abstract

A review of the electronic properties of pure bismuth is given. Theoretical ideas on the band structure of bismuth and the dispersion relation for electrons near the bottom of the conduction band are briefly outlined. The experiments considered are those which give the most precise information on the Fermi surface (quantum effects in conductivity, cyclotron resonance, size effects, magnetoplasma waves, etc.) and on the electron energy spectrum near the bottom of the conduction band (studies in the quantum limit, infra-red magneto-reflection). The validity of the Cohen model as a first approximation to the electron spectrum in bismuth is established, and deviations from this model are described. Experiments are proposed which may give additional information on electrons in bismuth.