Effective masses of wurtzite GaN calculated from an empirical tight binding model

The energy band structure of wurtzite GaN is calculated using an sp(3)d(5) - sp(3) empirical tight-binding method (ETBM) that includes the spin-orbit interaction. The model incorporates all nearest-neighbor and some second-nearest neighbor interactions within the two-center approximation. The second-nearest neighbor interactions excluded are the cation-cation interactions involving the Ga 3d orbital. The effective masses of the conduction and A, B, and C valence bands have been calculated and found to be in good agreement with published experimental data. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.