Why electrons and holes move in opposite direction?

An electron within the valence band may fill the hole, leaving another hole in its place. In the presence of an electric field electrons move in one direction and holes appear to move in the opposite direction. Since both electrons and holes carry charge, they both contribute to the conductivity of the material.

How do electrons and holes in a semiconductor behave in an electric field?

This is a very simple model of how hole conduction works. Instead of analyzing the movement of an empty state in the valence band as the movement of many separate electrons, a single equivalent imaginary particle called a “hole” is considered.

What is the direction of electron movement across holes?

Holes are electrons, but with negative mass. That’s said, so by applying electric field, electrons (n) move in the opposite direction of the field, while holes (other electrons) move in the same direction.

How do holes move in intrinsic semiconductor?

Holes do not actually move in the semiconductor. The movement of electrons from the valence band to the conduction band and neighbouring atom can be viewed as movement of hole.

What is the relationship between holes and electrons in intrinsic semiconductor?

In intrinsic semiconductors, the number of excited electrons is equal to the number of holes; n = p.

What happens when electrons combine with holes?

when an electron and a hole interact and recombine the energy is not transferred into heat energy or thermal vibrations. Instead the energy is transferred into an electron within the conduction band, which is then promoted to an energy higher in the conduction band.

Do holes exist?

One may hold that holes do exist, but they are nothing over and above the regions of spacetime at which they are found (Wake et al. 2007). But as regions of spacetime, holes can be said to move in virtue of having different temporal parts follow one another in different places.

Can we create holes in conductor?

Holes not only exist in conductors , but also in semi conductors and also in insulators! In conductors the valence band and conduction band overlap! Hence we cannot see holes. Hence we talk about these free electrons!

Why do holes move in the opposite direction to electrons?

The holes do not move by themselves. But, yes, holes appear to be moving in the opposite direction to electrons, when the electrons in the semiconductor device move from one vacancy to the another. Hence, here you can say the direction of the current is the direction of the holes!

What is the difference between electron and a hole in semiconductor?

Holes are a term given to absence of electrons. The holes do not move by themselves. But, yes, holes appear to be moving in the opposite direction to electrons, when the electrons in the semiconductor device move from one vacancy to the another.

What is the movement of holes in an electric field?

The movement of holes is nothing but the opposite directional movement of the bounded electrons. The electrons moving under the electric field are free electrons, so they are easy to move hence the higher mobility.

How do the free electron and hole contribute to conduction?

The free electron and hole both contribute to conduction about the crystal lattice. That is, the electron is free until it falls into a hole. This is called recombination.