Hall effect and semiconductors

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the Hall effect in semiconductors, specifically the behavior of holes and electrons. It clarifies that while holes are considered to flow in one direction, this is equivalent to electrons moving in the opposite direction, leading to confusion regarding charge carriers. The Hall effect demonstrates that positive charges (holes) and negative charges (electrons) behave differently, particularly in p-type semiconductors. Understanding this requires knowledge of quantum mechanical theories of transport in solids, as traditional explanations fall short.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Hall effect in physics
  • Familiarity with p-type and n-type semiconductors
  • Knowledge of charge carriers: electrons and holes
  • Basic principles of quantum mechanics related to solid-state physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the quantum mechanical theory of transport in solids
  • Study the differences in mobility and concentration of charge carriers in semiconductors
  • Explore the implications of the Hall coefficient in various materials
  • Learn about the applications of the Hall effect in modern electronics
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in physics, electrical engineering, and materials science, particularly those interested in semiconductor technology and electronic device design.

Ezio3.1415
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I had a problem understanding the hall effect for flow of holes... I thought flowing of holes means that the electrons are flowing the opposite direction,leaving open holes and that's it... but when reading hall effect I couldn't explain the hall effect for electrons and holes... Suppose holes are flowing to the right... A magnetic field is working perpendicular to its direction... We can see where the positive charge will be forced to gather... But if I think about electrons for this case that shows electrons are also gathering up there... That means either I have some mistake here or I had some misconception about the flow of holes in semiconductors...
 
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I am not sure I understand your explanation...your wording...

Wikipedia expresses my understanding pretty clearly:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hall_effect

for conductors

One very important feature of the Hall effect is that it differentiates between positive charges moving in one direction and negative charges moving in the opposite. The Hall effect offered the first real proof that electric currents in metals are carried by moving electrons, not by protons. The Hall effect also showed that in some substances (especially p-type semiconductors), it is more appropriate to think of the current as positive "holes" moving rather than negative electrons. A common source of confusion with the Hall Effect is that holes moving to the left are really electrons moving to the right, so one expects the same sign of the Hall coefficient for both electrons and holes. This confusion, however, can only be resolved by modern quantum mechanical theory of transport in solids.[4]

For semiconductors, holes and electrons typically have different concentrations [based on the doping of the semiconductor]...and also different mobility. Wikipedia has a bit on this as well...

does that clear it up for you??
 
If u read the page,you will see a line that says it can't be explained without using quantum mechanical effects... And how do u think about flowing of holes?
 
No one is replying... Please tell me how you think of flow of holes in semiconductors... Does flowing of holes mean that the electrons are flowing the opposite direction,leaving open holes? And thus the holes move opposite to electron's direction...
 

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