Here’s Everything You Need To Know About Holes In Semiconductors

What Is A Hole?

A ‘hole’ arises due to a missing electron in the valence band, which normally participates in covalent bonding between atoms. The absence of an electron creates a local absence of a negative charge, which is interpreted as a positive charge carrier.

In simple terms, a hole is an electron-shaped space left within the bond structure of a semiconductor crystal. These holes can ‘flow’: when a nearby electron moves into the space left in the valence band, it leaves an equivalent space behind and as an electron moves from negative to positive, a hole ‘moves’ from positive to negative. 

This is why holes are also called positive charge carriers, even though they are not physical particles but rather the absence of one. In essence, holes, even though not physical particles, are crucial for manipulating conductivity and creating the p-n junctions that form the heart of modern electronics.

What Is Hole Current?

Hole current is the electric current created by the movement of holes in a semiconductor. Even though holes themselves are not physical particles, their movement through the material contributes to the overall electrical conductivity. Let’s take a deeper look:

Electron Vs. Hole Movement: When an external voltage is applied to a semiconductor, it creates an electric field. This electric field pushes electrons in one direction (conventional current flow). Simultaneously, the electric field influences the movement of holes. Neighbouring electrons tend to ‘jump’ into the vacancies (holes), creating a flow opposite to the electron movement.

Effective Current: Even though holes move in the opposite direction of electrons, the net current flow considers the movement of both. In some cases, the contribution of holes to the current can be significant.

Importance Of Hole Current: Understanding hole currents is crucial for analysing the behaviour of various semiconductor devices. 

Devices like transistors, which are the building blocks of integrated circuits, rely on the movement of electrons and holes alike for their operation. In some specific semiconductor types (p-type), holes are the majority of charge carriers, making hole current the dominant contributor to the overall current flow.

Why Do Functional Semiconductors Have Holes?

Functional semiconductors rely on holes for two key reasons:

Enhanced Current Flow: In pure (intrinsic) semiconductors, relatively few free electrons are available for carrying current. Holes provide an additional mechanism for charge movement. When an electron in the valence band absorbs energy (thermal or electrical) and jumps to the conduction band, it leaves a space behind. 

This vacancy acts like a positive charge carrier, the ‘hole’. Neighbouring electrons can then move into these holes, creating a two-way current flow even though the actual movement involves only electrons.

Doping & Device Functionality: Most useful semiconductors are ‘doped’, meaning they have impurities added to create specific electrical properties. Doping comes in two types:

• n-type doping: Here, donor atoms with extra electrons are introduced. These extra electrons become mobile and contribute to conduction. However, the ‘holes’ left behind in the original atomic structure are still important. They can interact with the mobile electrons, influencing conductivity and enabling the formation of junctions crucial for device operation (like transistors).
• p-type doping: In this case, acceptor atoms that inherently have a ‘hole’ are added. These holes become the majority of mobile charge carriers within the material. The movement of these holes constitutes the primary current flow.