How to calculate the carrier concentration

In summary, Si samples with different concentrations of boron atoms have different Ef values. Normally, the fermi level is highest in the valence band. However, when boron is present in very small amounts, the fermi level is slightly higher in the conduction band. This difference in energy levels causes the atoms in a Si sample to be more strongly bound to each other.
  • #1
myousuf
4
0
Can any please help me in solving the following two questions

Q1
A Si sample is doped with 10^16 per cm cube boron atoms and a certain
number of shallow donors. The fermi level (Ef) is 0.36 eV above Ei
(intrinsic energy level) at 300K. What is the donor concentration Nd?

For Si at 300K ni(intrinsic carrier concentration) = 1.5 x 10^10 per
cm cube




Q2
A Si sample contains 10^16 per cm cube In(indium) acceptor atoms and
a certain number of shallow donors. The In (indium) acceptor level is
0.16 eV above Ev(Valence band edge), and Ef is 0.26eV above Ev at
300K. How many in atoms in cm per cube are unionized (i.e. neutral)?

For Si at 300K ni(intrinsic carrier concentration) = 1.5 x 10^10 per
cm cube




There is no additional information available. Please state the
question number when answering and indicate any formulas used.

The following equations may prove useful

n(o) x p(o) = ni^2

n(o) = ni x e((Ef-Ei))/KT)

p(o) = ni x e((Ei-Ef)/KT)
 
Last edited:
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  • #2
What have you done so far? If you want help, than you should say what you think and what you have tried.

Is there any more relations that you know of? How about "carge neutralisty condition of doped semi conductor" ? And Law of mass action?
 
  • #3
This is what I have came up with so far for question number 1

using the relation n(o) = ni x e((Ef-Ei))/KT)

with Ef-Ei=0.36 x 1.6 x 10^-19 , ni=1.5 x 10^10, T=300k , K=1.38 x 10^-23

we get n(o) = 1.654 x 10^16 per cm cube

However there are 10^16 B atoms to neutralize these charges

Hence Nd = 1.654 x 10^16 - 10^16 = 6.5 x 10^15 per cm cube
 
  • #4
For question number 2

unionized atoms are left at the acceptor level

Ef-Ev=0.26eV

Ea-Ev=0.16eV

Ea-Ef=0.16-0.26= -0.10eV

Using fermi-driac statistics f(E)=1/(1+e((E-Ef)/KT)))

for E=Ea,T=300 and substituting all the constants

f(E)=1/(1+e((Ea-Ef)/KT))), gives = 0.9794

However fermi driac statistics give the probablity of occupance of an electron in an Energy state E. hence 0.9794 is the probablity of occupance of an electron.

hole probablity of occupance=1-electron probablity of occupancy

hole probablity of occupance of the energy state Ea = 1-0.9794 = 0.02053

unionized atoms are left at the acceptor level(Ea)

Hence, number of IN(indium) atoms left unionized = hole probabilty of occupancy of Energy state Ea x number of In acceptor atoms

=0.02053 x 10^16

=2.05 x 10^14
 
  • #5
Anyway there are still questions that remain unanswered

For instance, what role does shallow donor impurities have to play in question number 2.

Any suggestions to the proposed solution above will be highly appreciated
 
Last edited:

What is carrier concentration?

Carrier concentration refers to the number of charge carriers (electrons or holes) present in a material. It is typically measured in units of particles per cubic centimeter (cm-3).

How do you calculate carrier concentration?

Carrier concentration can be calculated using the formula: n (or p) = Nc * exp(-Ec/kT), where n (or p) is the electron (or hole) concentration, Nc is the effective density of states in the conduction band, Ec is the energy level of the conduction band edge, k is the Boltzmann constant, and T is the temperature in Kelvin.

What affects carrier concentration?

The carrier concentration in a material is affected by several factors, including the temperature, doping concentration, and band gap energy. Increasing temperature and doping concentration generally leads to an increase in carrier concentration, while a larger band gap energy can decrease carrier concentration.

What is the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic carrier concentration?

Intrinsic carrier concentration refers to the carrier concentration in a pure, undoped material, while extrinsic carrier concentration refers to the carrier concentration in a doped material. Doping introduces impurities into the material, which can significantly affect the carrier concentration and other properties.

Why is it important to calculate carrier concentration?

Calculating carrier concentration is important in understanding and predicting the behavior of materials in electronic devices. It can also provide valuable information for optimizing the design and performance of these devices. Additionally, carrier concentration is a key factor in determining the conductivity and resistivity of a material.

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