Charge carrier

Figure 1. A diagram showing a crystal lattice and how the movement of an electron from the valence band creates a hole. Both electrons and holes are possible charge carriers.

Charge carriers are particles or holes that freely move within a material and carry an electric charge. In most electric circuits and electric devices, the charge carriers are negatively charged electrons that move under the influence of a voltage to create an electric current. However, most circuitry is designed in terms of conventional current, which uses positive charges that move in the opposite direction of electrons. Other than electrons and hypothetical positively charged particles, holes are also charge carriers. Holes are empty valence electron orbitals, and as such, they represent an electron deficiency that can move freely within a material. In semiconductor devices like diodes, two types of charge carrier - electrons and holes - converge to create a current. See diode operation for more information about how charge carriers impact conduction in a diode.

For Further Reading

For further information please see the related pages below:

• Semiconductor
• Metal
• Photovoltaic cell
• Diode
• Hole
• Or explore a random page!