Silicon exhibits metallic luster

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SUMMARY

Silicon exhibits metallic luster in visible light due to its electronic band structure, which allows it to reflect light effectively within this energy range. In contrast, silicon is transparent to infrared (IR) light because the energy of IR photons is lower than the band gap of silicon, preventing electron excitation. This phenomenon highlights the relationship between light absorption, reflection, and the material's band gap properties.

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  • Understanding of semiconductor physics
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  • Familiarity with visible and infrared light properties
  • Basic principles of photon energy and absorption
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aerotatak
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why should silicon exhibit metallic luster when viewed in visible light, yet be transparent when viewed in infrared light?
 
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Look at the energy range of visible light, and look at the energy range of IR. Now compare those to the band gap of silicon.

Zz.
 

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