Temperature effect on fermi level

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The Fermi level, initially defined at 0K, varies with temperature in semiconductors due to thermal excitation of electrons. In extrinsic semiconductors, doping with acceptor atoms creates holes in the valence band, shifting the Fermi level closer to the valence band as these holes increase. The introduction of acceptors leads to more holes as electrons are excited from the valence band to the energy level of the ionized acceptors. This shift indicates that the probability of occupancy at the Fermi level is influenced by both electrons and holes, clarifying its role beyond just electron occupancy. Understanding this relationship is crucial for analyzing semiconductor behavior at varying temperatures.
vigi04
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if fermi level is defined for 0K, then how does it vary in a semiconductor with temperature.
also, why will the formation of holes affect the position of fermi level(by introducing acceptors). have i misunderstood something? please clear my doubt.
 
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vigi04 said:
if fermi level is defined for 0K, then how does it vary in a semiconductor with temperature.
Extrinsic or intrinsic semiconductor?
also, why will the formation of holes affect the position of fermi level(by introducing acceptors). have i misunderstood something? please clear my doubt.
Suppose you dope the sample with acceptor atoms and these are ionised at room temperature. So what happens in the band diagram? You start to see more holes at the valence band due to electrons being excited fom Ev to Ea (where Ea is the energy level of the ionised acceptor ions). So what does that tell you about where you are most likely to find a half-filled energy level? Would it still be at Eg?
 
Defennder said:
Extrinsic or intrinsic semiconductor?
Suppose you dope the sample with acceptor atoms and these are ionised at room temperature. So what happens in the band diagram? You start to see more holes at the valence band due to electrons being excited fom Ev to Ea (where Ea is the energy level of the ionised acceptor ions). So what does that tell you about where you are most likely to find a half-filled energy level? Would it still be at Eg?
thanks. I've realized that fermi level is the probability of occupancy of energy states. initially i thought it was the probability of occupancy of electrons. that is why i could'nt understand the role of holes in the shift in position of fermi level.
and for that first question, i meant extrinsic.but now i understand. thanx.
 
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