Conduction Band

Conduction Band: When electrons are energized, they can bounce up into the conduction band, which comprises electron orbitals. When electrons are in these orbitals, they have enough energy to move freely through the material.

 An electric current flows as a result of the movement of electrons. The valence band is the most distant electron orbital of a particle of a specific material in which electrons are involved.

The bandgap is the energy difference between the valence band’s highest occupied energy state and the conduction band’s least abandoned condition, indicating a material’s electrical conductivity. 

A large bandgap indicates that a large amount of energy is required to energize valence electrons to the conduction band. When the valence and conduction bands overlap, as in metals, electrons can quickly bounce between the two groups, indicating that the material is extremely conductive.

When an electric field is applied to quicken them, or the temperature of the crystal is raised, the electrons in this energy band can expand their energies by moving to higher energy levels within the band. Conduction electrons are the name given to these electrons.

The conduction band is a band of electron orbitals in which electrons can jump from a lower energy level to a higher energy level when excited. Electrons have enough energy to move freely through a material when they are excited.

There is an electric current flow due to this flow of electrons. The energy gap between the valence band’s highest occupied energy state and the conduction band’s lowest energy state is known as the bandgap, which is used to determine the material’s electrical conductivity. This large gap represents how much energy is required to excite electrons to the conduction band.

What is the Conduction Band?

The conduction band is a range of energy levels in a material where electrons are free to move. These moving electrons carry electric current, making the material conductive. Think of it as a "highway" where electrons can zoom around and transfer energy.

How Does it Work?

1. Electrons Need Energy
   Normally, electrons stay in a lower energy region called the valence band. To jump to the conduction band, they need extra energy. This energy can come from heat, light, or electricity.
2. Energy Gap (Band Gap)
   Between the valence band and the conduction band, there is an energy gap.
   • Small gap: In materials like metals, electrons can easily jump to the conduction band, so they are good conductors.
   • Large gap: In insulators, the gap is too big, so electrons can’t move freely, and they don't conduct electricity.
   • Medium gap: Semiconductors, like silicon, have a manageable gap. With a little energy, their electrons can jump to the conduction band and conduct electricity.

Importance of the Conduction Band

• Electronics: The concept of the conduction band is essential for making electronic devices like computers and smartphones.
• Semiconductors: By controlling how electrons move in the conduction band, we can create components like transistors, diodes, and solar cells.

Forbidden Band

The forbidden band is the energy difference between a conduction and valence band. Some of its characteristics are as follows:

There are no free electrons.

There is no energy.

The nature of the substance determines the size of the forbidden energy gap. The forbidden energy gap decreases very slightly as temperature rises.