Can Aluminum Actually Steal Electrons from Silicon in a Diode?

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Aluminum, with its three valence electrons, interacts with silicon in a diode by forming bonds with four neighboring silicon atoms, creating a hole due to its lack of an additional electron. This hole facilitates electron movement within the silicon lattice. The discussion highlights the confusion around aluminum's bonding behavior in silicon, clarifying that aluminum does not "steal" electrons but rather creates a deficiency that allows for charge carrier movement. The crystal structure of silicon, where each atom bonds with four others, is crucial to understanding this interaction. Ultimately, the presence of aluminum leads to the formation of holes that contribute to the diode's functionality.
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I have a question regarding diodes. Aluminum has 3 valence electrons, and normally bonds with 3 atoms in order to rid itself of the valence electrons, right? Okay, but when mixed in a matrix of silicon atoms, it doesn't have enough electrons to share with the silicon. This makes a hole. Okay, but according to my books, this hole is swapped between the silicon atoms. It says the aluminum binds with three neighboring silicon atoms, and then it says that it steals one from the silion, in order to fill it's shell, well it's already filled, 3 neighbors!
Help please.
 
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I've answered my question by myself, but thanks anyway.
 
The crystal lattice of silicon makes each atom bound to 4 neighboring atoms. If you diffuse an Al atom in the crystal, it will associate with 4 adjacent Si atoms. Since it has only 3 electrons to share, there is a hole.
 

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