- #1
Godwin Kessy
- 91
- 0
Are the electrons in the donor and recipient energy bands in doped material involved in conduction of electricity, and why?
Donor and recipient energy bands in doped semiconductor
- Thread starter Godwin Kessy
- Start date
-
- Tags
- Energy Semiconductor
Click For Summary
Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the role of electrons in the donor and recipient energy bands of doped semiconductors in the conduction of electricity. Participants explore the involvement of these energy bands alongside the conduction and valence bands in electric conductivity, questioning assumptions made in various models and calculations.
Discussion Character
- Debate/contested
- Conceptual clarification
- Technical explanation
Main Points Raised
- Some participants question whether electrons in the donor and recipient energy bands contribute to electrical conduction.
- One participant asserts that both the conduction band and the valence band are involved in conductivity, suggesting that the donor and acceptor levels should similarly be considered.
- Another participant points out that donor and acceptor levels are often excluded from calculations, implying that their involvement is not universally accepted.
- There is a suggestion that the energy required to ionize electrons from donor and acceptor levels is less than that from the conduction and valence bands, which could imply their involvement in conduction.
- Some participants reference specific models and calculations that either include or exclude donor and acceptor levels, indicating variability in approaches to the topic.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants do not reach a consensus on the role of donor and recipient energy bands in conduction. Multiple competing views remain regarding their involvement and the assumptions underlying various models.
Contextual Notes
Participants note that certain calculations may simplify or omit the contributions of donor and acceptor levels, which could lead to differing interpretations of their role in conductivity.
- #2
berkeman
Admin
- 69,531
- 25,111
Godwin Kessy said:
Sounds like a schoolwork question. Please tell us what you know so far about electrons in the conduction band...
- #3
Godwin Kessy
- 91
- 0
No it's not a class question. I just found my self asking this question and not really getting a compromise. Look here it's clear that not only the conduction band but also the valence band is involved in electric conductivity as it the usual current in conduction band and the hole current in valence band. Now what about the electrons residing in the donor and the recipient bands residing in the doped semiconductors? got it?
- #4
es1
- 324
- 0
I am assuming you mean the donor and acceptor levels.
You mention it's clear that not only the conduction but also valence band is involved in electric conductivity. So why is it not also clear that the donor and acceptor levels are involved as they reside between the conduction and valence band? It takes even less energy to ionize from (or to) them, which is their point.
Unless a donor and acceptor band is something else entirely... In which case I'll need you to define it for me.
You mention it's clear that not only the conduction but also valence band is involved in electric conductivity. So why is it not also clear that the donor and acceptor levels are involved as they reside between the conduction and valence band? It takes even less energy to ionize from (or to) them, which is their point.
Unless a donor and acceptor band is something else entirely... In which case I'll need you to define it for me.
- #5
Godwin Kessy
- 91
- 0
@Esi... It's not clear as we all see that they are not included in the calculations. They are actually assumed not to be involved... For the reason am looking for.. Got it?
- #6
dlgoff
Science Advisor
Gold Member
- 4,458
- 3,265
- #7
es1
- 324
- 0
Godwin Kessy said:
Which calculations? The free carrier count?
Some models do include them. See this link for example:
http://ecee.colorado.edu/~bart/book/book/chapter2/ch2_6.htm#2_6_4
If your book does not include them then they likely made some simplifying assumptions. Things like the level is small, fully ionized, donor and acceptors are balanced. Or more simply, the levels all contain no carriers and therefore do not contribute to the count.
Similar threads
- · Replies 2 ·
- · Replies 1 ·
- · Replies 9 ·
- · Replies 3 ·
- · Replies 3 ·
- · Replies 1 ·
- · Replies 12 ·