Semiconductor physics

What is the energy difference between the vacuum level and the bottom of the conduction band of a semiconductor called?

  1. AElectron affinity
  2. BWork function
  3. CBand gap
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Answer: A. Electron affinity

Electron affinity is the energy needed to remove an electron at the bottom of the conduction band into vacuum. The work function is the energy difference between the Fermi level and the vacuum level and changes with doping. These are used to work out band alignment at metal-semiconductor junctions and heterojunctions.

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More Semiconductor physics questions

  1. In lightly doped silicon, what is the main reason mobility decreases as temperature rises?
  2. Which value is closest to the intrinsic carrier density of silicon at room temperature?
  3. Which value is closest to the atomic density of crystalline silicon?
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