Conduction band: definition · Chip Field Guide

Beginner

The upper energy level in silicon. Electrons that reach it are free to move and carry electricity.

Novice

The band of allowed electron energies above the band gap. In a semiconductor it is nearly empty, so the few electrons in it can move freely. Its bottom edge is written $E_{\mathrm{c}}$ .

Expert

Electron density $n = N_{\mathrm{c}}\, e^{-(E_{\mathrm{c}} - E_{\mathrm{F}})/kT}$ in the Boltzmann limit, with $N_{\mathrm{c}} \approx 2.8 \times 10^{19}\,\mathrm{cm^{-3}}$ in Si at 300 K. Band bending (a change in $E_{\mathrm{c}}$ with position) is the electrostatic potential drawn as energy.