electronic defects and calculation

Chapter 1: Introduction to Defects in Materials

  • Overview of ionic and electronic defects and their quantification.

    • Focus on electronic defects, which are intrinsic to materials.

    • Key concepts:

      • Generation of free electrons from the valence band to the conduction band.

      • Movement results in creation of electrons (free carriers) and holes (vacancies).

  • Equations for Concentration of Electronic Defects:

    • Concentration calculated using the same principles as ionic defects.

    • Activation energy (ΔG) corresponds to the band gap.

    • Important distinction in concepts between ionic and electronic defects:

      • Small n: Concentration of defects (electrons or holes).

      • Big N: Total lattice sites (relevant for ionic defects only).

      • Electronic defects use terms like density of states.

      • Each electron and hole occupies its own energy state due to Pauli Exclusion Principle.

  • Density of States Concepts:

    • Distribution of states around the conduction band (for electrons) and valence band (for holes).

    • Notation involves effective mass (m_e) and density states (N_c, N_v).

    • Equations for density of states to be acknowledged but not elaborated in this course.

  • Reaction Constants:

    • For electronic defects, reaction constant related to product of concentration of electrons and holes.

Chapter 2: Concentration of Electrons

  • Expressions for electron-hole symmetry:

    • Concentration of electrons (n) equals concentration of holes (p).

    • Such that their product leads to simpler calculations due to n=p.

  • Equation used for calculations:

    • Derived formulation relates to effective mass and thermal energy effects based on temperature.

Chapter 3: Constants and Temperature Effects

  • Application of constant values:

    • Schottky formation energy of magnesium oxide (MgO) = 7.7 eV, room temperature band gap = 7.65 eV.

    • Band gap changes with temperature: decreases by approximately 1 meV/K.

  • Setting up ionic defect calculations:

    • Methodology involves equality of magnesium and oxygen vacancy concentrations based on Schottky constant formation.

Chapter 4: Calculating Hole Concentration

  • Deriving electronic defect concentrations:

    • Focus on adjusting band gap based on temperature to calculate electron concentrations.

    • Effective masses of electrons and holes (m_e* and m_h*) are essential for calculating concentrations at elevated temperatures.

  • Long equation development:

    • Management of units according to Joules and electron volts.

Chapter 5: Comparing Concentrations

  • Calculating concentrations in cubic centimeters:

    • Transition from molar fractions to absolute numbers for direct comparisons.

    • Total lattice sites calculation through density of MgO and molecular weight consideration.

  • Final concentrations derived:

    • Ionic vacancy concentration and electronic disorder comparison reveal MgO acts as a mixed conductor.

    • Values suggest charge carriers include contributions from both ionic and electronic mechanisms.

Chapter 6: Conclusions on Conductivity

  • Example of sodium chloride (NaCl):

    • Demonstrates the contrasting behavior due to strong ionic character.

    • Schottky formation energy and ionic concentrations much higher, categorizing NaCl as an ideal ionic conductor.

Chapter 1: Introduction to Defects in Materials

Overview of ionic and electronic defects and their quantification. Focus on electronic defects, which are intrinsic to materials. Key concepts:

  • Generation of free electrons from the valence band to the conduction band.

  • Movement results in creation of electrons (free carriers) and holes (vacancies).

Equations

Concentration of Electronic Defects:

  • Concentration calculated using the same principles as ionic defects.

  • Activation energy (ΔG) corresponds to the band gap.

Expressions for Electron-Hole Symmetry:

  • Concentration of electrons (n) = Concentration of holes (p).

  • n * p leads to simpler calculations due to n=p.

Density of States:

  • Notation involves effective mass (m_e) and density states (N_c, N_v).

Reaction Constants:

  • For electronic defects, reaction constant related to product of concentration of electrons and holes.

Band Gap and Temperature Effects:

  • Band gap changes with temperature: decreases by approximately 1 meV/K.

Chapter 2: Concentration of Electrons

Expressions for electron-hole symmetry:

  • Concentration of electrons (n) equals concentration of holes (p).

  • Such that their product leads to simpler calculations due to n=p.

Chapter 3: Constants and Temperature Effects

Application of constant values:

  • Schottky formation energy of magnesium oxide (MgO) = 7.7 eV, room temperature band gap = 7.65 eV.

Setting up ionic defect calculations:

  • Methodology involves equality of magnesium and oxygen vacancy concentrations based on Schottky constant formation.

Chapter 4: Calculating Hole Concentration

Deriving electronic defect concentrations:

  • Focus on adjusting band gap based on temperature to calculate electron concentrations.

Effective masses of electrons and holes (m_e* and m_h*) are essential for calculating concentrations at elevated temperatures.

Long equation development:

  • Management of units according to Joules and electron volts.

Chapter 5: Comparing Concentrations

Calculating concentrations in cubic centimeters:

  • Transition from molar fractions to absolute numbers for direct comparisons.

Total lattice sites calculation through density of MgO and molecular weight consideration.

Final concentrations derived:

  • Ionic vacancy concentration and electronic disorder comparison reveal MgO acts as a mixed conductor.

  • Values suggest charge carriers include contributions from both ionic and electronic mechanisms.

Chapter 6: Conclusions on Conductivity

Example of sodium chloride (NaCl):

  • Demonstrates the contrasting behavior due to strong ionic character.

  • Schottky formation energy and ionic concentrations much higher, categorizing NaCl as an ideal ionic conductor.