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Electrical Conduction in Metals and Semiconductors

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Springer Handbook of Electronic and Photonic Materials

Part of the book series: Springer Handbooks ((SHB))

Abstract

Electrical transport through materials is a large and complex field, and in this chapter we cover only a few aspects that are relevant to practical applications. We start with a review of the semi-classical approach that leads to the concepts of drift velocity, mobility and conductivity, from which Matthiessenʼs Rule is derived. A more general approach based on the Boltzmann transport equation is also discussed. We review the conductivity of metals and include a useful collection of experimental data. The conductivity of nonuniform materials such as alloys, polycrystalline materials, composites and thin films is discussed in the context of Nordheimʼs rule for alloys, effective medium theories for inhomogeneous materials, and theories of scattering for thin films. We also discuss some interesting aspects of conduction in the presence of a magnetic field (the Hall effect). We present a simplified analysis of charge transport in semiconductors in a high electric field, including a modern avalanche theory (the theory of “lucky” drift). The properties of low-dimensional systems are briefly reviewed, including the quantum Hall effect.

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Abbreviations

2DEG:

two-dimensional electron gas

DOS:

density of states

EM:

electromagnetic

EMA:

effective media approximation

LD:

laser diodes

LD:

lucky drift

PC:

photoconductive

TCR:

temperature coefficient of resistance

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, 57 Campus Drive, S7N 5A9, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

    Safa Kasap Prof.

  2. Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, 57 Campus Drive, S7N 5A9, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

    Cyril Koughia Ph.D.

  3. Materials Science and Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, 170 College Street, M5S 3E4, Toronto, Canada

    Harry Ruda Prof.

  4. Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, 57 Campus Drive, S7N 5A9, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

    Robert Johanson Prof.

Authors
  1. Safa Kasap Prof.
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  2. Cyril Koughia Ph.D.
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  3. Harry Ruda Prof.
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  4. Robert Johanson Prof.
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Safa Kasap Prof. , Cyril Koughia Ph.D. , Harry Ruda Prof. or Robert Johanson Prof. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, 57 Campus Drive, S7N 5A9, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

    Safa Kasap Prof.

  2. Materials Team Leader, SELEX Sensors and Airborne Systems Infrared Ltd., Millbrook Industrial Estate, PO Box 217, SO15 0EG, Southampton, Hampshire, UK

    Peter Capper Dr.

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© 2006 Springer-Verlag

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Kasap, S., Koughia, C., Ruda, H., Johanson, R. (2006). Electrical Conduction in Metals and Semiconductors. In: Kasap, S., Capper, P. (eds) Springer Handbook of Electronic and Photonic Materials. Springer Handbooks. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-29185-7_2

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