Author Topic: Does the current calculation make sense if a valence band enter the bias window?  (Read 4239 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline clark

  • Regular QuantumATK user
  • **
  • Posts: 12
  • Reputation: 0
    • View Profile
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?

Offline zh

  • Supreme QuantumATK Wizard
  • *****
  • Posts: 1141
  • Reputation: 24
    • View Profile
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.

Offline clark

  • Regular QuantumATK user
  • **
  • Posts: 12
  • Reputation: 0
    • View Profile
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

Offline nori

  • QuantumATK Guru
  • ****
  • Posts: 122
  • Reputation: 12
    • View Profile
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.