When a electron is displaced in a semiconductor,the hole that's left behind is
Answer:
As an electron leaves its orbit, the hole is promptly filled by another electron. So as electrons flow one way, the holes "flow" in the opposite direction.
While classified as a "hole", it doesn't really exist. It is considered to have the same charge as an electron but with opposite polarity.
question :What is the hole that is left behind when a electron is displaced in a semiconductor?
answer:As an electron leaves its orbit, the hole is promptly filled by another electron. So as electrons flow one way, the holes "flow" in the opposite direction.
While classified as a "hole", it doesn't really exist. It is considered to have the same charge as an electron but with opposite polarity.
When an electron is displaced in a semiconductor, it creates what is known as a "hole." To understand this process, let's first discuss the basics of semiconductors.
Semiconductors are materials that have electrical conductivity between that of a conductor (like copper) and an insulator (like rubber). The behavior of electrons in semiconductors is crucial for their functionality. In a pure semiconductor material, such as silicon (Si) or germanium (Ge), the atoms are arranged in a specific crystal structure.
In this crystal structure, each atom is bonded to its neighboring atoms through shared electrons. These electrons are usually in their lowest energy state, known as the valence band. The valence band is fully populated with electrons, and it is the band responsible for the normal electrical conductivity of the material.
Now, when an electron is displaced or promoted to a higher energy state, such as through the absorption of energy (e.g., due to thermal excitation or incident light), it leaves behind an empty space in the valence band. This empty space is known as a hole.
The term "hole" is a conceptual way to describe the absence of an electron in the valence band rather than an actual physical particle. It is called a hole because, from the standpoint of electron movement, it behaves as if it were a positively charged particle.
The hole created by the displacement of an electron can move through the crystal lattice, just like an electron would, under the influence of an electric field. When an adjacent electron fills the hole, it leaves another hole behind, and this process can continue, effectively allowing the hole to migrate through the material.
In summary, when an electron is displaced in a semiconductor, a hole is created in the valence band. This hole behaves as if it were a positively charged particle and can move through the crystal lattice.