Indirect band gap semiconductor doubt

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SUMMARY

Indirect band gap semiconductors, such as silicon and germanium, are inefficient as light sources due to their tendency to favor non-radiative recombinations over radiative ones. This results in a majority of recombinations producing phonons, which are lattice vibrations, rather than photons. The concept of Auger recombination is crucial in understanding this phenomenon. For a deeper understanding, Kittel's "Introduction to Solid State Physics" is recommended as a resource.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of semiconductor physics
  • Familiarity with concepts of radiative and non-radiative recombination
  • Knowledge of phonons and lattice vibrations
  • Basic grasp of Auger recombination
NEXT STEPS
  • Study Kittel's "Introduction to Solid State Physics" for insights on indirect band gap materials
  • Research the mechanisms of Auger recombination in semiconductors
  • Explore the differences between radiative and non-radiative processes in semiconductor physics
  • Investigate the role of phonons in semiconductor efficiency and performance
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in semiconductor physics, optical engineering, and materials science who seek to understand the limitations of indirect band gap semiconductors in light emission applications.

munna007
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indirect band gap semiconductor doubt

its said that indirect band gap semiconductors like silicon and germanium are not used as a light sources because they have more non-radiative recombinations rather than radiative ,which inturn decreases efficiency of optical source.


but i want to understand how indirect band gap materials produce non-radiative photons.

i have studied many books like keiser , senior on optical fibre .those all are not explanatory on this ...also googled for this ,but not helped from there...


hoping for help here...thanks...love to all...
 

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The answer is that they do not produce non-radiative photons. There are a few radiative photons produced, but the majority of recombinations will result in phonons (lattice vibrations) and heating of the semiconductor. My semiconductor physics is a little rusty, but I think that Auger recombination is the phrase you're looking for.

The book I used for my condensed matter physics (which covered this) was Kittel's Introduction to Solid State Physics.
 

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