Band representations of space groups

Abstract

All the irreducible band representations of a space group are shown to be induced from a set of inequivalent relevant symmetry centers in the Wigner-Seitz cell. A connection is established between representations and band representations of space groups by using the Born---von K\'arm\'an boundary conditions. Continuity chords are used for proving the equivalency theorem which enables one to distinguish between equivalent and inequivalent band representations. As examples we consider a one-dimensional crystal and the ${D}_{6h}^{4}$ space group for a hexagonal close-packed structure.