Editing 2817: Electron Holes
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Wikipedia gives a good basic explanation of the concept of the "electron hole": | Wikipedia gives a good basic explanation of the concept of the "electron hole": | ||
| − | + | :[A]n electron hole (often simply called a hole) is a quasiparticle denoting the lack of an electron at a position where one could exist in an atom or atomic lattice. Since in a normal atom or crystal lattice the negative charge of the electrons is balanced by the positive charge of the atomic nuclei, the absence of an electron leaves a net positive charge at the hole's location. | |
| − | Holes in a metal or semiconductor crystal lattice can move through the lattice as electrons can, and act similarly to positively-charged particles. They play an important role in the operation of semiconductor devices such as transistors, diodes (including light-emitting diodes) and integrated circuits. If an electron is excited into a higher state it leaves a hole in its old state. . . . | + | :Holes in a metal or semiconductor crystal lattice can move through the lattice as electrons can, and act similarly to positively-charged particles. They play an important role in the operation of semiconductor devices such as transistors, diodes (including light-emitting diodes) and integrated circuits. If an electron is excited into a higher state it leaves a hole in its old state. . . . |
| − | In solid-state physics, an electron hole (usually referred to simply as a hole) is the absence of an electron from a full valence band. A hole is essentially a way to conceptualize the interactions of the electrons within a nearly full valence band of a crystal lattice, which is missing a small fraction of its electrons. In some ways, the behavior of a hole within a semiconductor crystal lattice is comparable to that of the bubble in a full bottle of water. | + | :In solid-state physics, an electron hole (usually referred to simply as a hole) is the absence of an electron from a full valence band. A hole is essentially a way to conceptualize the interactions of the electrons within a nearly full valence band of a crystal lattice, which is missing a small fraction of its electrons. In some ways, the behavior of a hole within a semiconductor crystal lattice is comparable to that of the bubble in a full bottle of water. |
In this cartoon, the physicist is upset that the idea of the electron hole beam doesn't "make sense" – because a beam consisting purely of things that are "missing" doesn't seem possible; electron holes only exist in the context of a background field of electrons in which just a few are missing. Thus, an "actual" ray would have caused a travel of electrons in the opposite direction– yet the beam is still working to destroy her belongings (or at least create dramatic visual effects). Eventually she resorts to simply exclaiming "Stop it!", humorously more due to the beam being made of quasi-particles than because it's destroying her belongings. | In this cartoon, the physicist is upset that the idea of the electron hole beam doesn't "make sense" – because a beam consisting purely of things that are "missing" doesn't seem possible; electron holes only exist in the context of a background field of electrons in which just a few are missing. Thus, an "actual" ray would have caused a travel of electrons in the opposite direction– yet the beam is still working to destroy her belongings (or at least create dramatic visual effects). Eventually she resorts to simply exclaiming "Stop it!", humorously more due to the beam being made of quasi-particles than because it's destroying her belongings. | ||
