Why does a semiconductor behave as an insulator at absolute zero
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Any material is considered a conductor when it has a bunch of free electrons.
Free electrons in a simiconductor are the ones that break their bond and leave the valence band to enter the conduction band. The bond breaking needs energy which is (in most cases) thermal energy. So, at zero Kelvin (theoretically), there is no thermal energy at all. Which means that all electrons ar tied to their atoms in the valence band. Which means that the conduction band is empty(no free electrons). So, the material is an insulator.
Like all insulators at a certain voltage (the breakdown voltage) the insulator turns into a conductor. Because the electric energy in that case is the one responsible for the ionization of the insulator atoms. Which produces free electrons (not bound to their atoms) in that insulator. Much like how high voltage ionizes air and makes electric sparks.
I hope this helps you......
Free electrons in a simiconductor are the ones that break their bond and leave the valence band to enter the conduction band. The bond breaking needs energy which is (in most cases) thermal energy. So, at zero Kelvin (theoretically), there is no thermal energy at all. Which means that all electrons ar tied to their atoms in the valence band. Which means that the conduction band is empty(no free electrons). So, the material is an insulator.
Like all insulators at a certain voltage (the breakdown voltage) the insulator turns into a conductor. Because the electric energy in that case is the one responsible for the ionization of the insulator atoms. Which produces free electrons (not bound to their atoms) in that insulator. Much like how high voltage ionizes air and makes electric sparks.
I hope this helps you......
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