Article
Article
Band theory of solids
Article By:
Frenzel, Louis Retired, Department of Engineering Technology, Austin Community College, Austin, Texas.
Berry, Carlotta Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, Indiana.
Last reviewed:April 2022
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.071800
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- Band theory of solids, published October 2019:Download PDF
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A quantum-mechanical theory of the motion of electrons in solids. The band theory of solids' name comes from the fact that it predicts certain restricted ranges, or bands, for the energies of electrons in solids. In a solid, the energy level of an electron is dependent on all the other particles in the electron's vicinity. Electrons may thus possess energies in certain, so-called allowed bands, but not in forbidden bands. A knowledge of the energy levels of electrons is of fundamental importance in computing electrical, magnetic, optical, or thermal properties of solids. Band theory is accordingly foundational for solid-state electronics (Fig. 1). See also: Electron; Electronics; Energy; Hole state in a solid; Motion; Quantum mechanics; Solid-state physics
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