I Where is the Fermi Level located?

[bluejay27]

Where does the fermi level lie at? I have an understanding that at absolute zero it would be lying halfway the band gap. Shouldn't it be lying at the top part of the valence band?

 

[ZapperZ]

Where does the fermi level lie at? I have an understanding that at absolute zero it would be lying halfway the band gap. Shouldn't it be lying at the top part of the valence band?

The term "Fermi Level" is often "abused" or carelessly used especially when dealing with semiconductors.

While it is very clear where the Fermi level is for conductors, in a semiconductors, there are two parameters that often get substituted with one another: the Fermi level, and the chemical potential.

You may want to refer to an earlier thread on this:

https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/fermi-level-in-semiconductor.829425/

Zz.