Physics:Quantum materials/band structure
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Short description: Energy structure of electrons in a solid
Band structure describes the allowed energy levels of electrons in a solid material. Instead of discrete energy levels, electrons occupy continuous ranges of energies called bands.
Electronic band structure determines whether a material behaves as a conductor, semiconductor, or insulator.
Description
In a crystal lattice, the interaction between atoms causes individual electron energy levels to broaden into bands. Between these bands, there may be gaps where no electron states exist.
The arrangement of bands and gaps determines the electrical and optical properties of the material.
Properties
- continuous energy bands
- presence of band gaps
- determines conductivity
See also
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References
Author: Harold Foppele
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