Can Semi-Metallic Materials Conduct Current with Holes?

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SUMMARY

Semi-metal materials can conduct current through holes, although the conduction is limited due to the restricted availability of empty energy states. The discussion highlights that while holes can exist in semi-metals, their movement is significantly hindered, resulting in minimal current flow. This phenomenon is closely related to the Fermi-Dirac distribution and temperature effects, which influence hole mobility in metals and semi-metals. The complexities of hole conduction in semiconductors are also addressed, emphasizing the challenges of current flow when the valence band is full.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of semi-metal properties and definitions
  • Familiarity with Fermi-Dirac statistics
  • Knowledge of conduction and valence bands in solid-state physics
  • Basic principles of electrical conduction in materials
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  • Research the role of Fermi-Dirac distribution in hole conduction
  • Explore the differences between semi-metals and semiconductors
  • Study the effects of temperature on electrical conductivity in semi-metals
  • Investigate the mechanisms of hole mobility in various materials
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Physicists, materials scientists, and electrical engineers interested in the conduction properties of semi-metals and their applications in electronic devices.

Manoir
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Hi,
I would like to know if there is some current conduction with hole in semi metal ?
thank you
 
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A semimetal is a material with a very small overlap between the bottom of the conduction band and the top of the valence band. If the energy of the electron (from the valence bound) at 0K is < Ec and if with themal agitation has an energy E >Ec then it should leave a hole in the semi metal as for semiconducteur ?
 
thank you, there can be hole in metal as well, if i understand well it says "Their motion is much too much restrained by a lack of available empty energy states " it means that there is not enough hole in a metal to have a significant current, as i think or that there will be a recombination of this hole with a free electron, that is actually the same. It's linked to fermi dirac distribution of hole, depending on temperature but do not remember where it comes from and why it s so low for metal. Any way another question for a semi conductor if you just have "hole" for the last energy state of valance band and completed free electron on conduction band how could you have a hole current because there is no valence electron that can pass trough tunnel effect to the hole to build the "hole" current ? and if you have your valence band that is full, why does your electron could not move due to the electrical potential ? i means the + (cathode) will catch an electron valence and then you have an hole and so on.
Why does this effect is impossible if you have the band full ?
 

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