Comparative Analysis of Nitrides Band Structures Calculated by the Empirical Pseudopotential Method

The electronic band structures of zinc blende and wurtzite GaN and InN are calculated using the empirical pseudopotential method, with the form factors adjusted to reproduce correctly the most important band features. To this end, a comprehensive analysis and comparison with several experimental and theoretical data reported in the literature is performed. Relevant energy spacings as well as direct and indirect band gaps are then derived from the band structures. The electron effective masses at high symmetry points are also obtained using a parabolic line fit. The calculated parameters are reported together with existing data so that they can be easily compared and used in the interpretation of experiments and for numerical simulation purposes.