Kronig-Penney Model in Solid State Physics

A model that describes the behavior of electrons in a periodic potential, used to understand the energy bands and band gaps in solids.

A dimensionless parameter in the Kronig-Penney model that describes the strength and width of the potential wells within a crystal lattice.

The allowed energies for electrons in a crystal, described by ranges of energies and forbidden gaps in between.

The forbidden energy ranges between energy bands, where electrons cannot exist in a crystal.

The behavior of electrons in a crystalline material where they can move freely through the crystal, allowing for electrical conductivity.

The lowest energy band in a crystal where electrons are tightly bound to the atoms, making the material an insulator.

A material with a small band gap, allowing electrons to move into the conduction band with relatively little energy, making it a good conductor.

A material with a large band gap, requiring a significant amount of energy to excite electrons into the conduction band, therefore preventing electrical conductivity.

A material with a moderate band gap, where electrons can be excited into the conduction band by absorbing energy (like light), leading to a change in conductivity.

The process of adding impurities to a semiconductor to modify its conductivity, creating either n-type (extra electrons) or p-type (electron holes) semiconductors.