Berry phase correction to electron density of states in solids

Abstract

Liouville's theorem on the conservation of phase space volume is violated by Berry phase in the semiclassical dynamics of Bloch electrons. This leads to a modification of the phase space density of states, whose significance is discussed in a number of examples: field modification of the Fermi-sea volume, connection to the anomalous Hall effect, and a general formula for orbital magnetization. The effective quantum mechanics of Bloch electrons is also sketched, where the modified density of states plays an essential role.