Carrier recombination is a process where electrons and holes in a semiconductor material recombine, releasing energy in the form of heat or light. It significantly impacts the efficiency of semiconductor devices like solar cells and LEDs by reducing the number of charge carriers available for conduction.

Carrier Recombination

Carrier recombination

Semiconductor materials are essential for modern electronics, possessing electrical conductivity between that of a conductor and an insulator, which can be altered by the introduction of impurities. They are the foundation of devices like transistors, diodes, and solar cells, enabling the functionality of computers, smartphones, and other electronic systems.

semiconductor material

In semiconductors, electrons and holes are charge carriers that facilitate electrical conductivity; electrons are negatively charged particles, while holes are the absence of an electron in a lattice, acting as positively charged particles. The movement of electrons and holes in response to electric fields underpins the operation of electronic devices such as diodes and transistors.

electrons and holes

energy in the form of heat

Energy in the form of light

efficiency of semiconductor devices

Solar cells, also known as photovoltaic cells, convert sunlight directly into electricity through the photovoltaic effect. They are a key technology in renewable energy, offering a sustainable solution to reducing dependence on fossil fuels and minimizing environmental impact.

solar cells

LEDs

Charge carriers are particles or quasiparticles that carry electric charge, essential for the conduction of electricity in materials. In conductors, charge carriers are typically electrons, while in semiconductors, they can be electrons or holes, and in electrolytes, they are ions.

charge carriers

Conduction is the process by which heat or electricity is directly transmitted through a substance when there is a difference of temperature or electrical potential, without movement of the material. It occurs at the microscopic level as energy is transferred between particles through collisions and interactions.

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