Why is a Pair of Electrons and Holes an Exciton?

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In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of excitons, which are a pair of hole and electron treated as a single particle. Although they have distinct motion and space, they are still considered excitons because of their coupling. This is similar to how atoms are treated as a single entity despite being made up of different particles. The expert also notes that as long as there is evidence to support this treatment, it is considered valid.
  • #1
omri3012
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hey,

i can't understand what is the motivation of defining pair of hole and electron as
a single particle, exciton. thus they seem to have distinct motion and space. so
why still we treat them as excitons?
 
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  • #2
omri3012 said:
hey,

i can't understand what is the motivation of defining pair of hole and electron as
a single particle, exciton. thus they seem to have distinct motion and space. so
why still we treat them as excitons?

Because they are still coupled together and can be treated as "one".

There's nothing unusual here. You treat a collection of electrons, protons, and neutrons as "one" entity and called it an 'atom'. As long as there's some form of coupling that allows us to treat a system as being an entity (and back it up with valid observations), then then treatment is perfectly fine.

Zz.
 
  • #3
thanks,

that was very helpful :smile:

omri
 

1. What is an exciton?

An exciton is a bound state of an electron and a hole in a solid or liquid material. It is an elementary excitation, meaning it can exist independently and carry energy and momentum, similar to a particle.

2. How is an exciton formed?

An exciton is formed when an electron is excited from its ground state to a higher energy state, leaving behind a hole in the ground state. The electron and hole are then bound together by the Coulomb attraction between opposite charges.

3. Why is a pair of electrons and holes an exciton?

A pair of electrons and holes is an exciton because they are bound together and can move through the material as a single entity, carrying energy and momentum. This makes them important for understanding the optical and electronic properties of materials.

4. What are the properties of excitons?

Excitons have a number of important properties, including a distinct energy level, a finite lifetime, and the ability to interact with light and other excitons. They also have a wave-like nature, making them subject to quantum mechanical effects.

5. How are excitons used in research and technology?

Excitons have various applications in research and technology, such as in the development of optoelectronic devices like solar cells, LEDs, and lasers. They also play a role in the study of semiconductors and the behavior of materials at the nanoscale level.

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