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Valence band |
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Valence band The highest electronic energy band in a semiconductor or insulator which can be filled with electrons. The electrons in the valence band correspond to the valence electrons of the constituent atoms. In a semiconductor or insulator, at sufficiently low temperatures, the valence band is completely filled and the conduction band is empty of electrons. Some of the high energy levels in the valence band may become vacant as a result of thermal excitation of electrons to higher energy bands or as a result of the presence of impurities. The net effect of the valence band is then equivalent to that of a few particles which are equal in number and similar in motion to the missing electrons but each of which carries a positive electronic charge. These “particles” are referred to as holes. See Band theory of solids, Conduction band, Electric insulator, Hole states in solids, Semiconductor How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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These calculations solve the charge neutrality equation self-consistently for a four-band model (three conduction sub-bands at [GAMMA], L, and X and one equivalent valence band at [GAMMA]) of GaSb. |
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