free electrons

https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.14015
Photoexcited electrons from the valence band into the conduction band in semiconductors and insulators.
Notes:
  1. Thermoexcitation or doping with certain impurities also leads to formation of free electrons in the conduction band of semiconductors. In metals and n-type semiconductors free electrons exist originally.
  2. The expression "free electron carrier" is redundant and not recommended.
Source:
PAC, 2011, 83, 931. (Glossary of terms used in photocatalysis and radiation catalysis (IUPAC Recommendations 2011)) on page 954 [Terms] [Paper]
Citation: 'free electrons' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.14015 RIS BibTex EndNote
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