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.