Let ΔE denote the energy gap between the valence band and the conduction band. The population of conduction electrons (and of the holes) is roughly proportional to e –ΔE/2kT . Find the ratio of the concentration of conduction electrons in diamond to that in silicon at room temperature 300 K. ΔE for silicon is 1.1 eV and for diamond is 6.0 eV. How many conduction electrons are likely to be in one cubic meter of diamond?

Question

Philoid · Accepted Answer

Given: energy band gap,

For silicon,

For diamond,

Also, we know that concentration of conduction electron(n) is

proportional to e^–ΔE/2kT

∴

For silicon,

For diamond,

We want,

Since, is very large, due to which the value of is in the negative power of 51, thus almost zero conduction electrons will be there in the diamond. Due to this diamond is an insulator.