From a molecule to a crystal — how orbitals become a band

A chain of N identical atomic orbitals (nearest-neighbour coupling β). Two atoms give the bonding/antibonding pair of a molecule; many atoms fill a band. Click any level to see its wave — this is exactly the picture CrystOD computes for real crystals, with group-theoretical labels attached.

atom of the 1-D chain  orbital lobe, + phase  − phase  — circle area ∝ amplitude. Levels: occupied / empty (one electron per atom, spin-paired).