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Energy Band Theory in Solids

Energy band theory describes how isolated atomic energy levels overlap and form continuous energy bands in solids. Electrons start filling these energy bands at 0K, with the highest occupied band being the Fermi level. Depending on the size of the forbidden band gap between the valence and conduction bands, solids are classified as conductors, insulators, or semiconductors. Conductors have either no band gap or overlapping bands, allowing electrons to easily move between bands.

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604 views3 pages

Energy Band Theory in Solids

Energy band theory describes how isolated atomic energy levels overlap and form continuous energy bands in solids. Electrons start filling these energy bands at 0K, with the highest occupied band being the Fermi level. Depending on the size of the forbidden band gap between the valence and conduction bands, solids are classified as conductors, insulators, or semiconductors. Conductors have either no band gap or overlapping bands, allowing electrons to easily move between bands.

Uploaded by

ashok pradhan
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Energy Band theory in solids: An isolated atom has well defined energy levels and energy of

an electron depends on its orbit (Principal quantum number)


 But in solids atoms are so close such that outer orbits are very close (or) overlapped to form
energy band.
 Inside the crystal each electron has a unique position and no two electrons see exactly same
pattern of surrounding charges and each electron has different energy level.
 Different energy level with continuous energy variation form energy bands (According to
Pauli’s principle)
 The energy band formed by a series of energy bands containing valance electrons is valance
band.
 At 0 K, electrons start filling energy level in valance band starting from the lowest one.
 The highest energy level, occupied by an electron in the valance band at 0K is called Fermi
level.
 The lowest unfilled energy band formed just above valance band is called conduction band.
 Depending on the forbidden energy gap between valance band and conduction band, the
solids are classified as conductors, insulators and semiconductors.
1)Conductors : The energy band structure in conductors have two possibilities Extrinsic
Semiconductor  The valance band may be completely filled and the conduction band partially
filled with an extremely small energy gap between them E g =0  Eg: Sodium (Na)
 The valence band is completely filled and conduction band is empty but the two overlap each
other. Eg: Zn
1. n-type semiconductor: To prepare a n-type semicon- ductor a pentavalent impurity, eg, P, As Sb is used as
a dopant with Si or Ge. Such an impurity is called donor impurity because each dopant atom provides one free
electron. In n-type semiconductor n >> n , i.e., electrons are majority charge carriers and the holes are
minority charge carriers such that n × n = n 2.
A n-type semiconductor is electrically neutral and is not negatively charged.
2. p-type semiconductor: To prepare a p-type semiconduc- tor a trivalent impurity, eg, B, Al, In, Ga, etc is used as
a
dopant with Si or Ge. Such an impurity is called acceptor impurity as each impurity atom wants to accept an elec-
tron from the crystal lattice. Thus, effectively each dopant atom provides a hole.
In p-type semiconductor n >> n , ie, holes are majority charge carriers and electrons
h
minority charge carriers
such that n × n = n 2.
A p-type semiconductor is electrically neutral and is not positively charged.
P-N junction:
1. A p-n junction is obtained by joining a small p-type
crystal with a n-type crystal without employing any other binding material in between them.

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