Charge carrier: Difference between revisions
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[[File:electronhole.png|400px|thumb|right|Figure 1. A diagram showing a crystal lattice and how the movement of an electron from the valence band creates a hole.<ref>''Created internally by a member of the Energy Education team. Adapted from: HyperPhysics. (August 20, 2015). P and N-Type Semiconductors [Online]. Available: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/solids/dope.html</ref> Both electrons and holes are possible charge carriers.]] | [[File:electronhole.png|400px|thumb|right|Figure 1. A diagram showing a crystal lattice and how the movement of an electron from the valence band creates a hole.<ref>''Created internally by a member of the Energy Education team. Adapted from: HyperPhysics. (August 20, 2015). P and N-Type Semiconductors [Online]. Available: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/solids/dope.html</ref> Both electrons and holes are possible charge carriers.]] | ||
<onlyinclude>'''Charge carriers''' are particles or [[electron hole|hole]]s that freely move within a material and carry an electric [[charge]].</onlyinclude> In most [[electric circuit]]s and electric devices, the charge carriers are negatively charged [[electron]]s that move under the influence of a [[voltage]] to create an [[electric current]]. However, most circuitry is | <onlyinclude>'''Charge carriers''' are particles or [[electron hole|hole]]s that freely move within a material and carry an electric [[charge]].</onlyinclude> In most [[electric circuit]]s and electric devices, the charge carriers are negatively charged [[electron]]s that move under the influence of a [[voltage]] to create an [[electric current]]. However, most circuitry is described in terms of [[conventional current]], which uses positive charges that move in the opposite direction of electrons.<ref name = a>''Electric Charge Carriers'' [Online]. Available:http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/electric/miccur.html#c2</ref> 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 a [[photovoltaic cell]], light creates two types of charge carriers - electrons and holes - which are pushed in opposite directions to create a current.<ref name = a></ref><ref>''Charge Carriers in Semiconductors'' [Online]. Available:http://www.doitpoms.ac.uk/tlplib/semiconductors/charge_carriers.php</ref> This process is similar to a [[diode]], see [[diode operation]] for more information about how charge carriers impact [[conduction]] in a diode. | ||
== For Further Reading == | == For Further Reading == | ||
Latest revision as of 20:43, 4 August 2026
Figure 1. A diagram showing a crystal lattice and how the movement of an electron from the valence band creates a hole.[1] 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 described in terms of conventional current, which uses positive charges that move in the opposite direction of electrons.[2] 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 a photovoltaic cell, light creates two types of charge carriers - electrons and holes - which are pushed in opposite directions to create a current.[2][3] This process is similar to a diode, 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!
References
- ↑ Created internally by a member of the Energy Education team. Adapted from: HyperPhysics. (August 20, 2015). P and N-Type Semiconductors [Online]. Available: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/solids/dope.html
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Electric Charge Carriers [Online]. Available:http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/electric/miccur.html#c2
- ↑ Charge Carriers in Semiconductors [Online]. Available:http://www.doitpoms.ac.uk/tlplib/semiconductors/charge_carriers.php