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Chapter 2-1. Semiconductor Models: E H H Planck's Constant (H 6.63

This document summarizes key concepts about semiconductor models and properties. It discusses that in semiconductors, charge is carried by both electrons and holes. It then explains the quantization concept where electron energy is quantized into discrete levels based on Planck's constant and Bohr's model of the hydrogen atom. The document also describes how the overlapping electron shells in a silicon crystal form energy bands, with the valence band full and conduction band empty at 0K, making silicon an insulator. Thermal energy can then excite a few electrons from the valence to conduction band, generating carriers that allow conduction.

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Anish Bansal
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81 views6 pages

Chapter 2-1. Semiconductor Models: E H H Planck's Constant (H 6.63

This document summarizes key concepts about semiconductor models and properties. It discusses that in semiconductors, charge is carried by both electrons and holes. It then explains the quantization concept where electron energy is quantized into discrete levels based on Planck's constant and Bohr's model of the hydrogen atom. The document also describes how the overlapping electron shells in a silicon crystal form energy bands, with the valence band full and conduction band empty at 0K, making silicon an insulator. Thermal energy can then excite a few electrons from the valence to conduction band, generating carriers that allow conduction.

Uploaded by

Anish Bansal
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Chapter 2-1.

Semiconductor models
The subatomic particles responsible for charge transport in metallic wires
electrons
The subatomic particles responsible for charge transport in semiconductors
electrons & holes

In this chapter, we will study these topics:
The quantization concept
Semiconductor models
Carrier properties
State and carrier distributions
Equilibrium carrier concentration

Quantization concept
In 1901, Max Planck showed that the energy distribution of the black body radiation
can only be explained by assuming that this radiation (i.e. electromagnetic waves)
is emitted and absorbed as discrete energy quanta - photons.
The energy of each photon is related to the wavelength of the radiation:
E = h v = h c /
where
h = Plancks constant (h = 6.63 10
34
Js)
v = frequency (Hz = s
1
)
c = speed of light (3 10
8
m/s)
= wavelength (m)

Example
Our eye is very sensitive to green light. The corresponding wavelength is 0.555 m
or 5550 or 555 nm. What is the energy of each photon?
E = hv = = 3.57 10
19
J
These energies are very small and hence are usually measured using a new energy
unit called electron Volts
1 eV = 1.6 10
19
CV = 1.6 10
19
J

A new unit of energy
Since the energies related to atoms and photons are very small,
(E
GREEN LIGHT
= 3.57 10
19
J), we have defined a new unit of energy called electron
Volt or eV
One eV is the energy acquired by an electron when accelerated by a 1.0 V potential
difference.


1 eV = 1.6 10
19
J

Energy acquired by the electron is qV. Since q is 1.6 10
19
C, the energy is 1.6
10
19
J. Define this as 1 eV. Therefore, E
GREEN LIGHT
= 2.23eV
1 eV = 1 1.610
19
CV = 1.610
19
J

Quantization concept (continued):
Niels Bohr in 1913 hypothesized that electrons in hydrogen was restricted to certain
discrete levels. This comes about because the electron waves can have only certain
wavelengths, i. e. n = 2tr, where r is the orbit radius. Quantization
Based on this, one can show that:






Bohrs hydrogen atom model

A numerical example:
( )
( ) ( )
orbit 1 the for eV 5 . 13 J 10 7 . 21
Js 10 62 . 6 1 F/m 10 85 . 8 8
C 10 6 . 1 kg 10 11 . 9
8
19
2
34
2
12
4
19 31
2 2 2
0
4
0
n
= = =


= =



n
h n
q m
E
c

... 3 , 2 , 1 for
8 ) 4 ( 2
2 2 2
0
4
0
2
0
4
0
H
= = = n
h n
q m
n
q m
E
c tc
constant s Planck' and
2
where = = h
h
t

For the n = 2 orbit, E


2
= 3.4 eV and so on. The number n is called the principal
quantum number, which determines the orbit of the electron.
Since Hydrogen atom is 3-D type, we have other quantum numbers like, l and m
within each orbit. So, in atoms, each orbit is called a shell .
See Appendix A in text for the arrangement of electrons in each shell and also for
various elements in the periodic table.

Atomic configuration of Si
So, an important idea we got from Bohr model is that the energy of electrons in
atomic systems is restricted to a limited set of values. The energy level scheme in
multi-electron atom like Si is more complex, but intuitively similar.
Ten of the 14 Si-atom electrons occupy very deep lying energy levels and are
tightly bound to the nucleus
The remaining 4 electrons, called valence electrons are not very strongly bound and
occupy 4 of the 8 allowed slots.
Configuration for Ge is identical to that of Si, except that the core has 28 electrons.


Bond model
Consider a semiconductor Ge, Si, or C
Ge, Si, and C have four nearest neighbors, each has 4 electrons in outer shell
Each atom shares its electrons with its nearest neighbor. This is called a covalent
bonding
No electrons are available for conduction in this covalent structure, so the material
is and should be an insulator at 0 K

2-dimensional (2D) semiconductor bonding model

No electrons are available for conduction. Therefore, Si is an insulator at T = 0 K.
Simplified 2D representation of Si lattice

How many atom-neighbors has each Si atom in a Si lattice?
How many electrons are in the outer shell of an isolated Si atom?
How many electrons are in the outer shell of a Si atom with 4 neighbors?

(a) Point defect (b) Electron generation

At higher temperatures (e.g. 300 K), some bonds get broken, releasing electrons
for conduction. A broken bond is a deficient electron or a hole. At the same
time, the broken bond can move about the crystal by accepting electrons from
other bonds thereby creating a hole.

Energy band model
An isolated atom has its own electronic structure with n = 1, 2, 3 ... shells.
When atoms come together, their shells overlap.
Consider Silicon: Si has 4 electrons in its outermost shell, but there are 8 possible
states. When atoms come together to form a crystal, these shells overlap and form
bands.
We do not consider the inner shell electrons since they are too tightly coupled to
the inner core atom, and do not participate in anything.

Development of the energy-band model

Energy band model
At T = 0K
No conduction can take place since there are no carriers in the conduction band.
Valence band does not contribute to currents since it is full.
Actually, valence electrons do move about the crystal.
No empty energy state available
For every electron going in one direction there is another one going in the
opposite direction. Therefore: Net current flow in filled band = 0
Both bond model and band model shows us that semiconductors behave like
insulators at 0K.

Visualization of carriers using energy bands

Insulators, semiconductors, and metals

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