Free Electron Theory
Free Electron Theory
Free Electron Theory
The free electron theory of metals The Drude theory of metals The basic assumptions of the Drude model
Paul Drude (1900): theory of electrical and thermal conduction in a metal application of Between collisions the interaction of a given electron with
the kinetic theory of gases to a metal, which is considered as a gas of electrons in a metal
the other electrons is neglected , called independent
Mmobile negatively charged electrons are confined in a metal by attraction to immobile
electron approximation.
positively charged ions isolated atom nucleus charge eZa Similarly the interaction between electron with the ions is
neglected, called Free electron approximation.
i.e. . Attraction between free electrons and the ion core; and
repulsion between electrons is neglected.
1
08-12-2023
2
08-12-2023
given by q nAL e. ( as the charge moves across the area A) have and
𝒏𝑨𝑳𝒆 𝑳
Therefore the current i= = 𝒏𝑨𝒆. =nAeVd Relationship between conductivity (σ) drift velocity (vd) and
𝒕 𝒕
𝒊 𝒏𝑨𝑳𝒆
Therefore current density 𝐉 = = =neVd
𝑨 𝑨
𝝈𝑬 =neVd
3
08-12-2023
• Resistivity, :
-- a material property that is independent of sample size and
geometry surface area
𝜌= of current flow
current flow
path length
• Conductivity,
𝜎= =
7
4
08-12-2023
5
08-12-2023
Classical and Quantum Distributions The distribution of electrons among the levels is described by
function f (E), probability of an electron occupying an energy level
‘E’.
1 1
f (E)
1
1e 10
That means all the levels below EF are occupied by the electrons.
Here is 1/KT and E can be taken as energy/ energy difference
lie E-EF
6
08-12-2023
When E > EF (i.e.) for energy levels lying above EF, For E > EF :
1
f (E E F) 0
(E – EF) is a positive quantity 1 exp ()
1 1
f(E) 0 1
1e 1 For E < EF : f (E E F) 1
1 exp ()
This equation indicates all the levels above EF arevacant.
E
At absolute zero, all levels below EF are completely filled
and all levels above EF are completely empty.This level, which
divides the filled and vacant states, is known as the Fermi energy EF
level.
14
0 1 f(E)
7
08-12-2023
When E = EF , 1 1 1
f(E) , at all temperatures
1 e0 1 1 2
16
8
08-12-2023
9
08-12-2023
• Assume T=0 to start with, the top most energy state is, EF
kz
Fermi Surface
E = EF
kF
ky
kx
10
08-12-2023
n(E,T) g(E)
Total number of holes in VB (valence band) =
T=0 EV
T>0 p0 g (E) 1 f (E) dE
E Bottom V
22
E E
11
08-12-2023
12
08-12-2023
• Energy gap is denoted by Eg and it is the amount of energy supplied, to excite (b) The energy levels corresponding to outer shells of isolated Li atoms form an energy band inside
the electron from valence band to conduction band. It is measured in eV. the crystal, for example the 2s level forms a 2s band.
13
08-12-2023
14
08-12-2023
(a) Above 0 K, due to thermal excitation, some of the electrons are at energies above EF.
(b) The density of states, g(E) vs. E in the band.
(c) The probability of occupancy of a state at an energy E is f(E). The product g(E)f(E) is the
number of electrons per unit energy per unit volume or electron concentration per unit energy.
The area under the curve with the energy axis is the concentration of electrons in the band, n.
15
08-12-2023
16
08-12-2023
Two dimensional representation The Band Structure • Semiconductors doped with trivalent impurity (Al, B) are
called P-type semiconductor.
• Semiconductors doped with pentavalent impurity (P,As)
are called N-type semiconductor. • As trivalent impurity accept free electrons, so we call them
Acceptors.
• As pentavalent impurity atom donate free electrons it is
called Donor impurity. • Acceptor impurities “create” discrete energy level, close to
the valence band & represented by EA .
• Donor impurities “create” an energy level, close to the
conduction band & represented by ED .
17
08-12-2023
Concept of Holes:
• Hole is nothing but the absence of electron.
• “Deficiency” of negative charge can be treated as a
positive charge. SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
• Holes are positive charge carriers. Movement of
electrons from nearby sites gives rise to movement of
holes in apposite direction.
• Hole is just like a bubble in liquid.
18
08-12-2023
pn junction diode Suppose the two pieces are suitably treated to form pn
• The p-n junction is also called as semiconductor diode. junction, then there is a tendency for the free electrons from
n-type to diffuse over to the p-side and holes from p-type to
• The left side material is a p-type semiconductor having
the n-side . This process is called diffusion.
–ve acceptor ions and +vely charged holes. The right
The left side material is a p-type semiconductor having –ve
side material is n-type semiconductor having +ve donor
acceptor ions and +vely charged holes. The right side
ions and free electrons
material is n-type semiconductor having +ve donor ions and
free electrons.
19
08-12-2023
For every electron that diffuses across the junction and • Outside this barrier on each side of the junction, the
combines with a hole, a positive charge is left in the n region and a material is still neutral. Only inside the barrier, there is a
+ve charge on n-side and –ve charge on p-side. This
negative charge is created in the p region, forming a barrier
region is called depletion layer.
potential.
This action continues until the voltage of the barrier repels further
diffusion. The blue arrows between the positive and negative
charges in the depletion region reprecent the electricfield.
20
08-12-2023
21
08-12-2023
22
08-12-2023
23
08-12-2023
VF switch rf
Anode (A)
Vo
VF
24
08-12-2023
Reverse current is also called Zener current(Iz). Reverse current is also called Zener current(Iz).
Large variation in current. Voltage almost Large variation in current. Voltage almost
constant. constant.
At knee point the breakdown effect begins, the At knee point the breakdown effect begins, the
internal Zener resistance (ZZ) begins to decrease. internal Zener resistance (ZZ) begins to decrease.
The reverse current increase rapidly. The reverse current increase rapidly.
The Zener breakdown (VZ) voltage remains The Zener breakdown (VZ) voltage remains
nearly constant. nearly constant.
25
08-12-2023
26