The Physics Behind Semiconductor Materials at Room Temperature

At room temperature, a semiconductor material is a substance that has electrical conductivity between that of a conductor and an insulator. This unique property of semiconductors is due to their atomic structure.

Atomic Structure of Semiconductors

The outermost orbits of a semiconductor material's atoms contain electrons that are loosely bound to them. This means that they can be easily excited by the addition of heat or light energy. When this happens, the electrons jump from the outer orbit and become free electrons, which can move through the material and carry electrical current.

Band Gap Theory

The band gap theory is what explains the behavior of semiconductor materials at room temperature. This theory states that in the energy levels of a semiconductor material, there is a gap between the energy levels of the highest occupied energy state and the lowest unoccupied energy state. The electrons in the outer orbit fill the lower energy level, while the free electrons fill the higher energy level. This gap between the two energy levels is known as the band gap.

At room temperature, the electrons in the outer orbit are at a lower energy level than the free electrons in the higher energy level. This means that the material is in a state of equilibrium and does not conduct electricity. However, when the material is heated or exposed to light energy, the electrons in the outer orbit become excited and jump up to the higher energy level, creating a flow of current. This is why a semiconductor material is able to conduct electricity.

Conclusion

At room temperature, a semiconductor material is a substance that has electrical conductivity between that of a conductor and an insulator. This is due to the atomic structure of the material and the band gap theory, which states that there is a gap between the highest occupied energy state and the lowest unoccupied energy state. When the material is heated or exposed to light energy, the electrons in the outer orbit become excited and jump up to the higher energy level, creating a flow of current.

Dated : 04-Feb-2023

Category : Education

Tags : Physics