QuantumATK Forum

QuantumATK => General Questions and Answers => Topic started by: clark on May 9, 2011, 11:29

Title: Does the current calculation make sense if a valence band enter the bias window?
Post by: clark on May 9, 2011, 11:29

Hi, everyone!
I don't make very clear about this point, the valence electrons should not participate the conducting, but the transmission calculation in ATK includes all states in the energy range in spite of it's a valence state or a conduction band, my question is does the current calculation make sense if a valence band enter the bias window?

Title: Re: Does the current calculation make sense if a valence band enter the bias window?
Post by: zh on May 9, 2011, 14:51

Basically, the understanding of this problem is very similar to the case of a molecular sandwiched by two metal electrodes. The latter case is explained well in the first  two chapters of the book "Quantum Transport: Atom to Transistor" by Supriyo Datta.

Title: Re: Does the current calculation make sense if a valence band enter the bias window?
Post by: clark on May 9, 2011, 20:46

I  think in bulk material the valence electrons don't participate conduction, but in a tunnel junction, they can participate in tunnel process, so my previous thought is wrong

Title: Re: Does the current calculation make sense if a valence band enter the bias window?
Post by: nori on May 10, 2011, 01:58

Quote

I  think in bulk material the valence electrons don't participate conduction

Actually, valence electrons also contribute conductivity in bulk semiconductor.
They usually are described as a hole.