Bands

The band gap is the energy difference between the valence band and the conduction band. The dark shading represents electrons in the band. Insulators have a large band gap, and metals have a small band gap. Semiconductors are the intermediate case.

Applying a voltage to a metal tips the bands, resulting in a flow of electrons.

When electrons from the conduction band recombine with holes from the valence band, the energy released is in the form of light.


Exploring the Nanoworld | MRSEC Nanostructured Interfaces
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This page created by George Lisensky, Beloit College. Last modified October 27, 2013 .