- #1
uby
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I am having difficulty ascertaining the difference between an electrostatic charge present on the surface of a conductor and the flow of an electron current (or holes, if you prefer) along the surface of a conductor with respect to their effects on the electron density of states (and, more specifically, the fermi level of the conductor). Let's assume that the conductor is a pure metal for sake of discussion.
When an electrostatic charge is present on the surface of the conductor, it is no longer electrically neutral. The conduction band will have extra electrons or be deficient of electrons, depending on the charge. Static charges naturally tend to be high voltage (though they are not required to be!). I would suspect that a negative charge would raise the fermi level while a positive charge would lower it.
On the other hand, a metal remains electrically neutral while a current run through it. Nevertheless, the potential difference applied across the metal will cause surface electrons to modify their energies, and, again, the fermi level should shift. However, I cannot easily distinguish this from the previous case.
Shouldn't the net electric charge have a notable effect on the electron density of states? Has there been any treatment of these effects in metals (not much interested in the behavior of semiconductors in this particular case) to which you can direct me for further reading?
Thanks!
When an electrostatic charge is present on the surface of the conductor, it is no longer electrically neutral. The conduction band will have extra electrons or be deficient of electrons, depending on the charge. Static charges naturally tend to be high voltage (though they are not required to be!). I would suspect that a negative charge would raise the fermi level while a positive charge would lower it.
On the other hand, a metal remains electrically neutral while a current run through it. Nevertheless, the potential difference applied across the metal will cause surface electrons to modify their energies, and, again, the fermi level should shift. However, I cannot easily distinguish this from the previous case.
Shouldn't the net electric charge have a notable effect on the electron density of states? Has there been any treatment of these effects in metals (not much interested in the behavior of semiconductors in this particular case) to which you can direct me for further reading?
Thanks!