As the temperature of a semiconductor decreases, the forbidden energy gap (also known as the bandgap) tends to increase.
The forbidden energy gap is the energy range between the valence band (the highest energy level of electrons in the filled state) and the conduction band (the lowest energy level of electrons in the empty state) in a semiconductor's energy band diagram. This gap determines the energy required for an electron to move from the valence band to the conduction band, and thus it plays a crucial role in the conductivity of the semiconductor.
At higher temperatures, thermal energy can cause some electrons in the valence band to gain enough energy to move to the conduction band, allowing them to contribute to electrical conduction. As the temperature decreases, the thermal energy decreases, and fewer electrons are able to overcome the energy barrier of the forbidden energy gap. This leads to a decrease in the number of charge carriers (electrons or holes) available for conduction, resulting in a decrease in conductivity.
However, keep in mind that other factors can also influence the behavior of semiconductors at low temperatures, such as impurity levels and dopants, so the exact behavior may vary depending on the specific material and conditions.
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As the temperature of a semiconductor decreases, the forbidden energy gap (also known as the bandgap) tends to increase.
The forbidden energy gap is the energy range between the valence band (the highest energy level of electrons in the filled state) and the conduction band (the lowest energy level of electrons in the empty state) in a semiconductor's energy band diagram. This gap determines the energy required for an electron to move from the valence band to the conduction band, and thus it plays a crucial role in the conductivity of the semiconductor.
At higher temperatures, thermal energy can cause some electrons in the valence band to gain enough energy to move to the conduction band, allowing them to contribute to electrical conduction. As the temperature decreases, the thermal energy decreases, and fewer electrons are able to overcome the energy barrier of the forbidden energy gap. This leads to a decrease in the number of charge carriers (electrons or holes) available for conduction, resulting in a decrease in conductivity.
However, keep in mind that other factors can also influence the behavior of semiconductors at low temperatures, such as impurity levels and dopants, so the exact behavior may vary depending on the specific material and conditions.
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