Drude Model — Free Electron Conductivity

Classical electron gas · scattering · AC conductivity · skin effect

Parameters

Drude Formulas

σ(ω) = σ₀/(1-iωτ)
σ₀ = ne²τ/m
Re[σ] = σ₀/(1+(ωτ)²)
Im[σ] = σ₀·ωτ/(1+(ωτ)²)
Electrons accelerate in E-field and scatter with rate 1/τ. The Drude model predicts DC conductivity σ₀ = ne²τ/m and Lorentzian frequency response — the basis for optical conductivity in metals.

Conductivity

σ₀ (DC)-
Re[σ(ω)]-
Im[σ(ω)]-
|σ|-
Phase φ-
Plasma freq ωₚτ-