Semiconductor physics

Which recombination process becomes significant at high carrier concentrations, where the released energy is given to another carrier instead of being emitted as light?

  1. ARadiative recombination
  2. BAuger recombination
  3. CSurface recombination
Show answer and explanation

Answer: B. Auger recombination

In Auger recombination, the energy from an electron-hole recombination is transferred to a third carrier, which is raised to a high energy and then loses it as heat. Because three carriers are involved, it matters in heavily doped emitters and in LEDs operating at high currents.

Practice this topic Back to topic

More Semiconductor physics questions

  1. What is the approximate resistivity of n-type silicon with an electron density of 1×10¹⁶ cm⁻³ and an electron mobility of 1000 cm²/V·s? (Ignore holes; elementary charge 1.6×10⁻¹⁹ C)
  2. What is the energy difference between the vacuum level and the bottom of the conduction band of a semiconductor called?
  3. In lightly doped silicon, what is the main reason mobility decreases as temperature rises?
  4. Which value is closest to the intrinsic carrier density of silicon at room temperature?
  5. Which value is closest to the atomic density of crystalline silicon?