Is there relationship between resistivity and bandgap?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between resistivity and bandgap in materials, particularly focusing on semiconductors. Participants explore whether a larger bandgap correlates with increased resistivity and the factors influencing conductivity.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions if materials with larger bandgaps are more resistive.
  • Another participant asserts that there is no direct relationship between bandgap and resistivity for semiconductors, emphasizing that conductivity depends on carrier concentration and mobility, which can be modified through doping.
  • A different participant acknowledges a connection between resistivity and bandgap in terms of temperature dependence, noting that materials with larger bandgaps exhibit different temperature behavior in resistivity compared to those with smaller bandgaps.
  • This participant also mentions the possibility of plotting IV characteristics to observe a "gap" related to the bandgap size.
  • One participant expresses gratitude for the clarification received during the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the relationship between resistivity and bandgap, with some asserting no direct correlation while others suggest a connection under specific conditions, particularly regarding temperature dependence. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the influence of doping on conductivity and the complexity of the relationship between resistivity and bandgap, indicating that assumptions about intrinsic samples may not hold universally.

Kit
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is the material, which has a larger bandgap, more resistive:confused: ?

thanks for answering:smile:

kit
 
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As far as I know for semiconductors, there isn't any relationship. The bandgap has to do with the atomic arrangment. The conductivity, which is the inverse of resistivity, is a function of carrier concentration and mobility. These can be altered through doping. I don't even see a relationship among intrinsic samples.
 
Kit said:
is the material, which has a larger bandgap, more resistive:confused: ?
thanks for answering:smile:
kit

Your question itself is confusing.

There is a clear connection between the two as far as the dependence of the resistivity as a function of temperature. In other words, someone with a larger bandgap will have a different temperature evolution of resistivity when compared with another material with a smaller band gap.

One can also plot the IV characteristics and see a "gap" in the low voltage region, the size of which corresponds to the size of the band gap.

But really, I'm not sure what exactly the question is asking for.

Zz.
 
i have a clearer picture now

thanks for answering:smile:
 

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