Band gap of germanium

Principle

The conductivity of a germanium test sample is measured as a function of temperature. The energy gap is determined from the measured values.

Tasks

1. The current and voltage are to be measured across a germanium test-sample as a function of temperature.
2. From the measurements, the conductivity s is to be calculated and plotted against the reciprocal of the temperature T. A linear plot is obtained, from whose slope the energy gap of germanium can be determined.

What you can learn about

• Semiconductor
• Band theory
• Forbidden band
• Intrinsic conduction
• Extrinsic conduction
• Impurity depletion
• Valence band
• Conduction band