Understanding Holes in Semiconductors: Positive or Negative Charge?

[Air]

I understand that holes are sites of missing electrons in the structure of a solid semiconductor. When there is a potential difference between the ends of a sample, electrons can move to fill the holes and in effect the holes move the other way to form an electric current.

However, is the hole positive or negative charged?

 

[malawi_glenn]

hole is regarded as positive charged. But holes just "lack" of electrons, they are not real particles.

This should also have been posted in Atomic, Solid State, Comp. Physics forum.