Exploring the Mass of a Hole: Propagation in Semiconductors

In summary, an electron has a mass that is smaller than a hole, and the mass energy required for a hole to propagate in a semiconductor is greater than the mass of an electron.
  • #1
tworitdash
107
26
How can the mass of a hole is larger than an electron?I want to know what a hole signifies and the mass energy required for it to propagate in the semiconductors for constituting current.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
tworitdash said:
How can the mass of a hole is larger than an electron?I want to know what a hole signifies and the mass energy required for it to propagate in the semiconductors for constituting current.

Back up a bit. Do you know how an effective mass in define in terms of the band dispersion? You have not provided enough information on what you DO know.

Zz.
 
  • #3
no.I haven't got any idea about effective mass.I know that a hole is just the empty space created by an electron.and I have a little idea about band dispersion.
 
  • #4
sir,please help me out with some simple lines that i can understand without knowing much of quantum physics.
 
  • #5
The point is that not only a hole has an (effective) mass different from that of an electron but that also the effective mass of an electron in a semiconductor is different from the mass of a free electron. The reason is that an electron or a hole in a semi-conductor is a quasi-particle. I.e. it is a compound object consisting of an electron (or hole) that carries deformations of the lattice with him and also interacts with the "sea" of other electrons. These deformation etc. increase inertia and hence the apparent or "effective" mass of that quasi-particle.
Another contribution to the mass comes from increasing reflection from lattice planes in the crystal near the zone boundaries.
 
  • #6
Thank you sir,but i didn't get the last line.would you mind explaining me once more?and the increasing inertia increases the effective mass of only hole or only electron or both?
 
  • #7
tworitdash said:
Thank you sir,but i didn't get the last line.would you mind explaining me once more?and the increasing inertia increases the effective mass of only hole or only electron or both?

Before we go any further, you may want to make your replies to be gender neutral. We have many women physicists and professionals in here. Your replies assume that we are all males, which is faulty!

Zz.
 
  • #8
sorry ... I will take it into consideration from now.
 

Related to Exploring the Mass of a Hole: Propagation in Semiconductors

1. What is the significance of exploring the mass of a hole in semiconductors?

Exploring the mass of a hole in semiconductors is important because it helps us understand the behavior of charge carriers in these materials. The mass of a hole affects its mobility and therefore plays a crucial role in the performance of semiconductor devices.

2. How is the mass of a hole measured in semiconductors?

The mass of a hole in semiconductors can be measured through various experimental techniques, such as cyclotron resonance, optical spectroscopy, and transport measurements. These methods involve applying external fields or analyzing the response of holes to determine their effective mass.

3. What factors influence the mass of a hole in semiconductors?

The mass of a hole in semiconductors is influenced by several factors, including the material's crystal structure, temperature, and the presence of impurities or defects. Additionally, the mass of a hole can vary depending on its direction of motion and the energy level it occupies.

4. How does the mass of a hole affect the performance of semiconductor devices?

The mass of a hole directly affects its mobility, which is a key factor in determining the conductivity of a semiconductor material. In devices such as transistors, the mobility of charge carriers is crucial for controlling the flow of current and achieving desired functionality.

5. What are the potential applications of studying the mass of a hole in semiconductors?

Studying the mass of a hole in semiconductors has practical applications in the development of new and improved semiconductor devices. It can also aid in the understanding of fundamental physical properties of materials and contribute to advancements in fields such as electronics, optoelectronics, and renewable energy.

Similar threads

A Anisotropy of the effective masses in semiconductors
    • Atomic and Condensed Matter
Replies
2
Views
1K
B Field distribution in semiconductors
    • Atomic and Condensed Matter
Replies
2
Views
1K
I What is an electron hole pair?
    • Atomic and Condensed Matter
Replies
1
Views
2K
I Hall effect in P-type semiconductors: electron-centric heuristic?
    • Atomic and Condensed Matter
Replies
0
Views
301
I Energy of donor or acceptor levels in semiconductors
    • Atomic and Condensed Matter
Replies
12
Views
2K
B Something strange about doping semiconductors
    • Atomic and Condensed Matter
Replies
1
Views
1K
A Carrier relaxation within a quantum well
    • Atomic and Condensed Matter
Replies
4
Views
1K
A Empirical tight-binding sp3s* band structure of semiconductors
    • Atomic and Condensed Matter
Replies
2
Views
1K
A Comprehensive book/article on hole-phonon interaction
    • Atomic and Condensed Matter
Replies
1
Views
1K
I Pure semiconductor Quantum Dots?
    • Atomic and Condensed Matter
Replies
1
Views
1K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top