Past exam of the MPhil in micro- and nanotechnology enterprise course of the University of Cambridge / 2022 / Paper 2 / Section A(ii) / 16 / ii / Solution

For an in-plane parabolic band $E(k)=E_0+{\hslash }^2{k}^2/(2m^{\ast })$, one state occupies area $(2\pi {)}^2/A$ in two-dimensional wave-vector space. Including spin degeneracy two and the single GaAs conduction-band valley,Differentiation gives the constant two-dimensional density of statesUsing the supplied $h$ and effective mass givesThis counts available one-electron states, not the number actually occupied at arbitrary temperature. Occupation requires the Fermi-Dirac distribution; each additional subband would add another step above its own threshold.