Discussion
Ask a question about 'Conduction band' Start a new discussion about 'Conduction band' Answer questions from other users |
In the
solid-state physicsSolid-state physics is the study of rigid matter, or solids, through methods such as quantum mechanics, crystallography, electromagnetism, and metallurgy. It is the largest branch of condensed matter physics. Solid-state physics studies how the large-scale properties of solid materials result from...
field of
semiconductorA semiconductor is a material with electrical conductivity due to electron flow intermediate in magnitude between that of a conductor and an insulator. This means a conductivity roughly in the range of 103 to 10−8 siemens per centimeter...
s and insulators, the
conduction band is the range of
electronThe electron is a subatomic particle with a negative elementary electric charge. It has no known components or substructure; in other words, it is generally thought to be an elementary particle. An electron has a mass that is approximately 1/1836 that of the proton...
energies, higher than that of the
valence bandIn solids, the valence band is the highest range of electron energies in which electrons are normally present at absolute zero temperature....
, sufficient to free an electron from binding with its individual
atomThe atom is a basic unit of matter that consists of a dense central nucleus surrounded by a cloud of negatively charged electrons. The atomic nucleus contains a mix of positively charged protons and electrically neutral neutrons...
and allow it to move freely within the atomic lattice of the material. Electrons within the conduction band are mobile
charge carrierIn physics, a charge carrier is a free particle carrying an electric charge, especially the particles that carry electric currents in electrical conductors. Examples are electrons and ions...
s in solids, responsible for conduction of
electric currentElectric current is a flow of electric charge through a medium.This charge is typically carried by moving electrons in a conductor such as wire...
s in metals and other good electrical conductors.
See also
- Band Theory
In solid-state physics, the electronic band structure of a solid describes those ranges of energy an electron is "forbidden" or "allowed" to have. Band structure derives from the diffraction of the quantum mechanical electron waves in a periodic crystal lattice with a specific crystal system and...
- Electrical conduction for more information about conduction in solids, and another description of band structure.
- Fermi sea
Fermi liquid theory is a theoretical model of interacting fermions that describes the normal state of most metals at sufficiently low temperatures. The interaction between the particles of the many-body system does not need to be small...
- Semiconductor
A semiconductor is a material with electrical conductivity due to electron flow intermediate in magnitude between that of a conductor and an insulator. This means a conductivity roughly in the range of 103 to 10−8 siemens per centimeter...
for a full explanation of the band structure of materials.
- Valence band
In solids, the valence band is the highest range of electron energies in which electrons are normally present at absolute zero temperature....
External links