What Are Heavy Holes, Light Holes, and Split Off Holes in Semiconductors?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the concepts of heavy holes, light holes, and split off holes in semiconductors, as introduced in the context of semiconductor physics. The original poster expresses confusion regarding these terms and their implications in the behavior of valence bands.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to understand the definitions and distinctions between heavy holes, light holes, and split off holes, questioning the existence of multiple valence bands. Some participants provide links to resources, but the original poster indicates that these do not clarify their confusion.

Discussion Status

Contextual Notes

The original poster mentions a textbook definition of holes and semiconductors, suggesting that their understanding is based on standard educational materials, but they are struggling with the specific terminology and concepts introduced in their studies.

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Homework Statement


A hole is just a valence band with one missing electron. A semiconductor is just a material that has its conduction electron concentration within a certain range. A direct-gap semiconductor is just a semiconductor with the conduction band edge and the valence band edge on the same vertical in the k-E graph.

But then my book talks about heavy holes and light holes and split off holes and I just don't understand what they are.


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution

 
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Does this help?

http://touch.caltech.edu/courses/EE40%20Web%20Files/Supplements/01_Effective_Mass.pdf​
 
Last edited by a moderator:
tiny-tim said:
Does this help?

http://touch.caltech.edu/courses/EE40%20Web%20Files/Supplements/01_Effective_Mass.pdf​

Sorry, not really. I just don't understand what they are. I don't understand how you can have three different valence bands when I thought by definition there was only one?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
anyone?

SOMEONE PLEASE HELP! I NEED TO UNDERSTAND THIS! What is a heavy hole and what is a light hole?
 
Last edited:
Help!
 

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