How do electrons and holes populate the bands?

Probability of Occupation (Fermi Function) Concept

Now that we know the number of available states at each energy, how
do the electrons occupy these states?
We need to know how the electrons are “distributed in energy”.
Again, Quantum Mechanics tells us that the electrons follow the
“Fermi-distribution function”.

1
f (E)  ( E  EF )
where k  Boltzman cons tan t , T  Temperature in Kelvin
1 e kT

and E F  Fermi energy (~ average energy in the crystal )

f(E) is the probability that a state at energy E is occupied

1-f(E) is the probability that a state at energy E is unoccupied
Georgia Tech ECE 3080 - Dr. Alan Doolittle
 How do electrons and holes populate the bands?
Probability of Occupation (Fermi Function) Concept

At T=0K, occupancy is “digital”: No occupation of states above EF and

complete occupation of states below EF
At T>0K, occupation probability is reduced with increasing energy.
f(E=EF) = 1/2 regardless of temperature.

Georgia Tech ECE 3080 - Dr. Alan Doolittle

 How do electrons and holes populate the bands?
Probability of Occupation (Fermi Function) Concept

At T=0K, occupancy is “digital”: No occupation of states above EF and

complete occupation of states below EF
At T>0K, occupation probability is reduced with increasing energy.
f(E=EF) = 1/2 regardless of temperature.
At higher temperatures, higher energy states can be occupied, leaving more
lower energy states unoccupied (1-f(E)).
Georgia Tech ECE 3080 - Dr. Alan Doolittle
 How do electrons and holes populate the bands?
Probability of Occupation (Fermi Function) Concept

1
f (E)  ( E  EF )
1 e kT
+/-3 kT T=10 K,
1.20 3 kT 3 kT
kT=0.00086 eV
3 kT 3 kT
T=300K,
1.00
kT=0.0259
Ef=0.55 eV
0.80 T=450K,
f(E)

For E < (Ef-3kT): kT=0.039

0.60
f(E) ~ 1-e-(E-Ef)/kT~1 For E > (Ef+3kT):
0.40
f(E) ~ e-(E-Ef)/kT~0
0.20

0.00
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2

E [eV]
Georgia Tech ECE 3080 - Dr. Alan Doolittle