What Causes Electrons to Jump into Holes?

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Karthikeyan
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Charge Hole
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the phenomenon of electron movement into holes in semiconductors, specifically referencing the Hall effect in n-type and p-type semiconductors. Participants explore the concept of holes being positively charged, questioning whether this is due to their attraction of electrons or if there is experimental evidence supporting this charge. The uncertainty principle is also mentioned as a factor influencing the probability of electron state changes, contributing to the movement of electrons into holes.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of semiconductor physics
  • Familiarity with the Hall effect in n-type and p-type semiconductors
  • Knowledge of the uncertainty principle in quantum mechanics
  • Basic concepts of electron behavior in solid-state physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the Hall effect in detail, focusing on its implications in semiconductor applications
  • Study the uncertainty principle and its effects on electron behavior in quantum mechanics
  • Explore the differences between n-type and p-type semiconductors
  • Investigate experimental methods to demonstrate the positive charge of holes in semiconductors
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in physics, electrical engineering, and materials science, particularly those interested in semiconductor technology and quantum mechanics.

Karthikeyan
Messages
20
Reaction score
0
Hi all,
What causes the electrons to jump into holes??

Thanks,
Karthikeyan.K
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Karthikeyan said:
Hi all,
I have a basic doubt. We say holes are positively charged. Is there any experiment which says that holes are positive ?? or is that only because it attracts electrons we call it positively charged?

Thanks...
Karthikeyan.K

Look at the Hall effect in an n-type semiconductor and a p-type semiconductor.

Zz.
 
Because of the uncertainty principle there's always a probability that the electron will change it's state. so if we take a set of base states where each state x corresponds to the electron being at atom x then if atom x has a "hole" (missing an atom) there's always a non zero probability that an electron in the state x-1 will go into state "x" and then the hole will have moved to the left. (the same thing applys to electrons at other atoms)
 

Similar threads

Undergrad How are holes charge carriers?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
High School Thought Experiment on Charge Carriers and Electrical Conduction
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
Undergrad Charge movement relative to magnetic field frame dependence/invariance
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
High School How is surface charge accumulated?
  • · Replies 36 ·
2
Replies
36
Views
7K
Undergrad Evaporating black holes and conservation of charges?
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
4K
Undergrad Opaque-wall-with-hole argument from Feynman lectures
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Graduate Charge Carriers in the Hall Effect
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Undergrad What causes skin effect in AC currents?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Graduate Charging a magnetically levitating sphere to 1 gigavolt in a high vacuum
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Graduate What happens to the electrons in a black hole?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
6K