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2.4 Band Theory of Solids

This document discusses band theory of solids and describes energy bands in conductors, semiconductors, and insulators. It explains that in solids, closely spaced energy levels of valence electrons form continuous energy bands. Conductors have overlapping conduction and valence bands, while insulators have a large forbidden band gap between the bands. Semiconductors have a small band gap, and their conductivity can be modified by doping with impurities to create excess electrons (n-type) or holes (p-type). Intrinsic semiconductors have few free electrons generated by thermal excitation, while extrinsic ones are doped for higher conductivity.

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58 views

2.4 Band Theory of Solids

This document discusses band theory of solids and describes energy bands in conductors, semiconductors, and insulators. It explains that in solids, closely spaced energy levels of valence electrons form continuous energy bands. Conductors have overlapping conduction and valence bands, while insulators have a large forbidden band gap between the bands. Semiconductors have a small band gap, and their conductivity can be modified by doping with impurities to create excess electrons (n-type) or holes (p-type). Intrinsic semiconductors have few free electrons generated by thermal excitation, while extrinsic ones are doped for higher conductivity.

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2.

4 Band Theory of Solids


Contents: Conductors, Insulators and semiconductors, Energy bands, intrinsic and extrinsic
semiconductors.
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 Introduction :- Atom is the fundamental unit of matter. It consist of centrally placed
nucleus which consists of protons and neutrons in it and negatively charged electrons are
revolving around nucleus in an elliptical orbit. Electrons in the inner shell (orbit) are
bound to nucleus and hence called bound electron. The electrons in the outermost orbit
are called valence electrons.
 Formation of Energy bands in solids:
There are millions of electrons belonging to the first orbit of atoms in the solid
having different energy levels which are closely packed. Thus closely spaced energy
levels of millions of first orbit electrons forms a continuous band of energy and second
orbit electrons forms second band.

Fig. 1Energy level diagram of


Atom Fig. 2 Energy band diagram of
solid

Q. Define energy band, valence band, conduction band, forbidden energy gap?
Energy band: The range of energies passed by electrons of different atoms in solid is called as
energy band.

Valence band: The range of energies passed by electrons in the outermost orbit of an atom is
called as valence band.

Conduction band : Valence electrons are loosely attached to the nucleus and can be detached and
become free electrons. These free electrons in a conductor are responsible to carry current. They are
called as conducting electrons.

Dr. Joshi K.G. Band Theory in Solids 1/5


Department of EE
Sanjivani K.B.P.Polytechnic, Kopargaon
“The range of energies passed by conducting electrons is known as conduction band.”

Forbidden energy Gap: The band (energy gap) between valence band and conduction band is
called forbidden gap.

In order to lift the electrons from valence band to conduction band .Band gap energy (Eg) must
be provided.

Energy of electron in an atom: In an atom various electrons are distributed in different orbits. In
an orbit certain permissible values of energy apart from these energy levels.

Draw the energy band diagram for conductors, semiconductors and insulators.

Ans. Conductor: Metal (aluminium, silver, copper) contains large number of free electrons at
room temperature. Hence conduction band and valence bands are overlapping each other. Hence
forbidden energy gap is absent.

Semiconductors: Conductivity of semiconductor is greater than insulator and less than conductors.

Valence band is full and conduction band is almost empty, forbidden gap is very small of the order
of 1eV.

eg. Si and germanium.

Insulators: The forbidden energy gap is very high greater than 5.5 eV .The electrons cannot jump
from valence band to conduction band.

Eg Glass, wood, rubber, plastic,etc.

Name two semiconductor which are commonly used.

Ans: Silicon and germanium are commonly used semiconductors.

Dr. Joshi K.G. Band Theory in Solids 2/5


Department of EE
Sanjivani K.B.P.Polytechnic, Kopargaon
Define intrinsic semiconductor.
Ans: The semiconductor material in its purest form is called as intrinsic semiconductor.
( at 0 K)

Explanation: At intrinsic semiconductor like pure silicon or germanium has four electrons in its
outermost orbit of its atom. In order to fill valence shell atoms arrange themselves in such a way
that each atom is surrounded by four atoms. This pattern is called as crystal. Each atom forms
covalent bond with its four adjacent atom.

Dr. Joshi K.G. Band Theory in Solids 3/5


Department of EE
Sanjivani K.B.P.Polytechnic, Kopargaon
Intrinsic semiconductor At 00K
At absolute zero temperature there are no free electrons available for electrical conduction.
Semiconductor behaves as a perfect insulator at absolute zero temperature.
At room temperature:-

Intrinsic semiconductor at room temperature


Room temperature is sufficient to break few covalent bonds. Thus few electrons are free to
move in the crystal When electron moves away from atom vacancy is created i.e. hole in the
bond which is positive charge . Hence free electrons and holes are generated simultaneously (in
pairs). This is called as thermal generation.
What is the effect of temperature on conductivity of semiconductor?
Ans: As the temperature of semiconductor increases its conductivity increases.
Define Extrinsic semiconductor.
Ans: When suitable impurity is added to a pure semiconductor the type of semiconductor is called
as extrinsic semiconductor.
Dr. Joshi K.G. Band Theory in Solids 4/5
Department of EE
Sanjivani K.B.P.Polytechnic, Kopargaon
What is doping?
Ans: The process of adding impurity atoms in intrinsic semiconductor to increase its conductivity
is known as doping .
 p type extrinsic semiconductor:
Ans: When a pure semiconductor is doped with the trivalent impurity it is called as P type
semiconductor. (gallium, indium, aluminium).
Consider a pure silicon crystal. If trivalent impurity like Al, Ga is added to it then three
valence electrons from each Si atom forms three covalent bands with Ga atom and instead of
fourth bond electron a hole is created.

p-type semiconductor
The majority carriers in p type are holes and impurity is called as acceptor impurity.
 N type Extrinsic semiconductor
When semiconductor is doped with pentavalent impurity it is called as n type
semiconductor.(arsenic, antimony, phosphor) .
Consider a pure Si crystal If it is doped with pentavalent impurity like Arsenic (As) Antimony etc.
which have five electrons in the outermost orbit, arsenic ( impurity) atom forms four covalent
bonds with Si atoms and fifth electron is extra and free in crystal.
The majority carriers in N type semiconductor are electrons and impurity is called as donor
impurity.

n- type semiconductor
Dr. Joshi K.G. Band Theory in Solids 5/5
Department of EE
Sanjivani K.B.P.Polytechnic, Kopargaon

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