Conduction band

The term conduction band is part of the band model, with which the electrical conductivity is explained by materials. He refers to the energy band located at absolute zero temperature (T = 0 Kelvin ) above the highest occupied electron energy band ( valence band ). This may partially overlap with the valence band (as in sodium) and thus partially be occupied (metals and metalloids ) or separated from the valence band by the band gap and therefore be unoccupied ( semiconductors and insulators ).

Importance during cargo transport

Being, so they can be due to free energy states in the conduction band easily absorb electrons of a material in the conduction band energy of an electric field, quasi move "freely". The material is therefore electrically conductive.

Semiconductors and insulators to the conduction band are separated by the band gap from the valence band. Electrons can only by external power supply - thermal, kinetic or photonic excitation (see also: photoelectric effect) - overcome.

The theoretical calculation of the conduction band must be quantum mechanically, since it is generally the movement of electrons in a periodic potential (corresponding to the atoms in the solid state ) is. For an exact calculation, for example, the angular momentum, the spin and relativistic effects must be considered.