Basics of Envelope-Function Theory

The chapter shows how the bulk theory described in Part I can be generalized within the envelope-function framework to model the band structure of layered materials with quantum confinement of carriers such as quantum wells or superlattices. In practice, the approach amounts to substituting derivatives for wavevector components in suitably chosen Hamiltonians as well as augmenting them with interface terms. It also discusses the spin splitting of the states of the quantum structures that arises from structural and intrinsic asymmetries.