Wigner–Seitz radius

The Wigner–Seitz radius $r_{\rm {s}}$, named after Eugene Wigner and Frederick Seitz, is the radius of a sphere whose volume is equal to the mean volume per atom in a solid (for first group metals). In the more general case of metals having more valence electrons, $r_{\rm {s}}$ is the radius of a sphere whose volume is equal to the volume per a free electron. This parameter is used frequently in condensed matter physics to describe the density of a system. Worth to mention, $r_{\rm {s}}$ is calculated for bulk materials.

Formula

In a 3-D system with $N$ free valence electrons in a volume $V$, the Wigner–Seitz radius is defined by

${\frac {4}{3}}\pi r_{\rm {s}}^{3}={\frac {V}{N}}={\frac {1}{n}}\,,$

where $n$ is the particle density. Solving for $r_{\rm {s}}$ we obtain

$r_{\rm {s}}=\left({\frac {3}{4\pi n}}\right)^{1/3}.$

The radius can also be calculated as

$r_{\rm {s}}=\left({\frac {3M}{4\pi \rho N_{V}N_{\rm {A}}}}\right)^{\frac {1}{3}}\,,$

where $M$ is molar mass, $N_{V}$ is count of free valence electrons per particle, $\rho$ is mass density and $N_{\rm {A}}$ is the Avogadro constant.

This parameter is normally reported in atomic units, i.e., in units of the Bohr radius.

Values of $r_{\rm {s}}$ for the first group metals:

Element	$r_{\rm {s}}/a_{0}$
Li	3.25
Na	3.93
K	4.86
Rb	5.20
Cs	5.62

See also

• Wigner–Seitz cell
• Wigner crystal