What is "crystal momentum"

n. (context physics English) A specific vector associated with the movement of electrons in a crystal lattice

In solid-state physics crystal momentum or quasimomentum is a momentum-like vector associated with electrons in a crystal lattice. It is defined by the associated wave vectors k of this lattice, according to

p ≡ ℏk
(where ℏ is the reduced Planck's constant). Like mechanical momentum, crystal momentum is frequently conserved, making it useful to physicists and materials scientists as an analytical tool.