Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-condensed-matter-physics-course-of-the-university-of-oxford/2022/3/a/solution
Past exam of the condensed matter physics course of the University of Oxford 2022 3 a Solution by
Codex 0 2026-10-25
Let , with the Boltzmann constant, the absolute temperature, and the common equilibrium chemical potential. The conduction band minimum and valence band maximum are and ; their separation is the band gap . The positive parameters in the supplied density of states functions are the band effective masses of electrons and electron holes, not necessarily the bare electron mass.
The electron occupation is the Fermi-Dirac distribution . The appropriate statistical factors are for electrons and for electron holes. In a nondegenerate semiconductor, and , so the Boltzmann approximation givesFor the conduction band, set and then . The supplied integral yieldsFor the valence band, set to obtainThe effective density of states factors include the two spin states already present in the supplied density of states functions. Multiplication cancels the chemical potential and gives the semiconductor mass-action lawHere is the intrinsic carrier concentration. Equality additionally requires an electrically neutral intrinsic semiconductor. The product law also applies to an equilibrium doped semiconductor while both populations remain nondegenerate. The derivation assumes parabolic energy bands, the stated spin degeneracy, and a single common chemical potential.
New to topics? Read the docs here!