Condensed Matter & Materials Physics
3 terms
Effective Mass
Condensed Matter & Materials Physics
kg or Fraction of Rest Mass m_e
A parameter that simplifies modeling electron and hole dynamics in a crystal lattice by treating them as free particles with a modified mass determined by energy band curvature.
m* = ℏ² / (d²E / dk²)
Exciton
Condensed Matter & Materials Physics
eV (Binding Energy)
A neutral quasiparticle consisting of a conduction electron bound to a valence band hole by electrostatic Coulomb attraction.
E_exciton = E_g - E_b (where E_b = μ e⁴ / (8 ε² h² n²))
Extrinsic Semiconductor
Condensed Matter & Materials Physics
cm⁻³ (Dopant Carrier Density)
A semiconductor whose electrical conductivity is dominated by intentional impurity dopants rather than thermal excitation across the band gap.
n p = n_i² (Mass Action Law)