Physics 271 - Homework Set 10 - due Wednesday 27 April 2011

From the textbook: Chapter 9: 27a ; Chapter 11: 8b , 9.

Hints:
(a) The molar mass is the total mass of Avogadros Number (6.022 1023 ) of atoms.
(b) Look at the electronic configuration of the various elements in Table 8.2
9-27: The density of pure copper is 8.92 103 kg/m3 , and its molar mass is 63.546 g. Using the
experimental value of the conduction electron density, 8.47 1028 m3 , compute the number
of conduction electrons per atom.
Solution: Compute the number density of atoms:
"
3

8.92 10 kg/m

1mole
0.063546 kg

#"

6.022 1023 atoms

= 8.45 1028 m3
mole
#

Compared to the given number density of conduction electrons, this is very nearly the same.
So (within rounding errors) we can conclude that each atom contributes one electron to the
conduction band.
11-8: What kind (p-type or n-type) of semiconductor is made if pure germanium is doped with a
small amount of (a) aluminum; (b) selenium ?
Solution: Using Figure 8.2 (p.273), we see that germanium (Ge) has two electrons in its
(unfilled) 4p orbital. Considering what happens when you replace a Ge atom:
(a) Al has only one electron in its (unfilled) 3p orbital, so this becomes a p-type semiconductor.
(b) Se has four electrons in its (unfilled) 4p orbital, so this becomes an n-type semiconductor.
11-9 Find the wavelength of the photon needed to cause an electron to jump from the valence to
the conduction band in (a) germanium, with a band gap of 0.67 eV; (b) silicon, with a band
gap of 1.1 eV.
Solution:
The photon must have an energy equal to or greater than the band gap to give to the electron,
Eg =

hc

(a) = hc/Eg = 1.240 103 eV nm/0.67 eV = 1850 nm

(b) = hc/Eg = 1.240 103 eV nm/1.1 eV = 1130 nm

Additional problems:
1. The following diagrams show the conduction (C) and valence (V) energy bands of three
different crystalline substances. Also shown is the level of the Fermi energy (EF ). Label each
of the three diagrams as being most likely a conductor, an insulator, or a semiconductor.

CONDUCTOR

INSULATOR

SEMICONDUCTOR

2. Sodium in a metallic form is monovalent (i.e., it contributes one electron per atom to the
conduction band). Assume it has a bulk density of 0.971g/cm3 and an atomic mass (see
Appendix 8) of 23.0u. Calculate (a) the density of charge carriers and (b) the Fermi energy
for sodium. (Answers: (a) 2.54 1028 electrons/m3 ; (b) 3.15 eV.)
Solution:
(a) The atomic density is
na =

(0.971 g/cm3 )(6.02 1023 atoms/mole)

NA
=
M
(23.0 g/mole)

= 2.54 1022 atoms/cm3 = 2.54 1028 electrons/m3

since there is one electron per atom in the free electron gas.
(b)
h2
EF =
8me
(6.626 1034 J sec)2
=
8(9 1031 kg)

3ne

2/3

3(2.54 1028 electrons/m3 )

!2/3

= 5.04 1019 J = 3.15 eV

3. From the optical absorption spectrum of a certain semiconductor, one finds that the longest
wavelength of radiation absorbed is 1.85m. What is the energy band-gap of this semiconductor? (Answer: 0.670 eV )
Solution:
Eg = hfmin

hc
1.240 103 eV nm
=
=
= 0.670 eV
max
1850 nm

(Compare to Problem 11-9 above.)