In intrinsic semiconductors, the Fermi level lies at the middle of the bandgap (Eg/2) at absolute zero temperature. However, at finite temperatures, the position of the Fermi level shifts slightly due to the presence of thermally excited carriers.
Fermi level in intrinsic semiconductorsTo determine the position of the Fermi level in intrinsic Si, Ge, and GaAs at room temperature, we need to use the following equation:
[tex]n_i = N_c exp[-(Eg/2 - E_F)/(k_B T)] (1)[/tex]
where
n_i is the intrinsic carrier concentration, [tex]N_c[/tex] is the effective density of states in the conduction band, Eg is the bandgap energy,[tex]E_F[/tex] is the Fermi level energy, [tex]k_B[/tex] is the Boltzmann constant, and T is the temperature.Taking the logarithm of both sides of equation (1), we get:
[tex]ln(n_i) = ln(N_c) - (Eg/2 - E_F)/(k_B T) (2)[/tex]
Rearranging equation (2), we get:
[tex]E_F = Eg/2 - k_B T ln(n_i/N_c) (3)[/tex]
Using the values of [tex]N_c[/tex], me, and mh from Table 5.1, we can calculate the intrinsic carrier concentration for Si, Ge, and GaAs at room temperature (T = 300 K) using the following equation:
[tex]n_i = 2 [(2\pi$ m_e$ k_BT/h^2)^3/2] exp[-E_g/(2k_BT)] (4)[/tex]
where h is the Planck constant.
Substituting the values of N_c, me, and mh from Table 5.1 and T = 300 K into equation (4), we get:
[tex]For Si: n_i = 1.01 \times 10^10 cm^-3\\For Ge: n_i = 2.37 \times 10^13 cm^-3\\For GaAs: n_i = 1.79 \times 10^6 cm^-3[/tex]
Substituting these values into equation (3), we can calculate the position of the Fermi level in each material with respect to the middle of the bandgap (Eg/2) as follows:
[tex]For Si: E_F = 0 eV\\For Ge: E_F = -0.12 eV\\For GaAs: E_F = 0.17 eV[/tex]
Therefore, at room temperature, the Fermi level in intrinsic Si lies exactly at the middle of the bandgap, while in Ge and GaAs, it lies slightly below and above the middle of the bandgap, respectively.
Learn more about Fermi level: brainly.com/question/31390702
#SPJ11
the process by which living things give rise to offspring is called
The process by which living things give rise to offspring is called reproduction. Reproduction is a fundamental characteristic of living organisms, and it is essential for the survival and continuation of a species.
For such more question on reproduction
https://brainly.com/question/461781
#SPJ11