Concept of Fermi energy level
We have now quantized energy levels and concept of E-K diagram. Next task is to place electrons
in these energy levels. Electrons are considered as Fermi ions with spin possibility ±1/2. Since the
number of elections is very large, conveniently Fermi – Dirac (FD) statistics is used to understand
the distribution of electrons in these energy levels. In addition, Pauli exclusion for principle is used
to satisfy the quantum rule. It says that two electrons can stay in a quantized energy level if one
quantum numbers are different. So while arranging two energies in same energy level these two
electrons possesses +1/2 and -1/2 spin so that spin quantum number is different. Now to apply F-
D statistics, a distribution function called fermi function is used. It essentially deals with the
occupancy. It is expressed as,
1
𝐹𝐷 =
𝐸−𝐸
exp ( 𝐾 𝑇 𝐹 ) + 1
𝐵
where E is an energy level with respect to the location of Fermi energy level (EF), T is the absolute
temperature, KB is Boltzmann constant
Definition of Fermi energy level (Physical interpretation)
At T = 0 K, the total number of energy levels occupied by electrons can be known by using the
Fermi-Dirac Function.
a) At T= 0 K and E < EF
1 1
𝐹𝐷 = = =1
𝐸𝐹 − 𝐸 1
exp (− 𝐾 𝑇 ) + 1 + 1
𝐵 ∞
For a given energy level E < EF the value of which means that all the energy levels with energy
are less than that of Fermi level EF will be occupied at T = 0K.
At T= 0 K and E > EF
1 1
𝐹𝐷 = = =0
𝐸−𝐸 ∞+1
exp ( 𝐾 𝑇 𝐹 ) + 1
𝐵
For a given energy level E > EF, the exponential term in the Fermi-Dirac function becomes 0 and
which means that the probability of finding the occupied energy level of energy greater than E F is
zero.
So, at T= 0 K, Fermi energy level is the one for which all levels up to EF are occupied by electron
and all energy levels above EF are unoccupied by electrons.
This indicates that the Fermi energy level is the maximum energy an electron can have at absolute
zero temperature.
b) At T > 0K and E = Ef
1 1 1
𝐹𝐷 = = =
𝐸 − 𝐸𝑓 1+1 2
exp ( 𝐾 𝑇 ) + 1
𝐵
So, in this case Fermi energy level is the one up to which electron occupancy in at least 50% and
rest of the electron are above Fermi energy level Ef and it depends on temperature.
Graphical
For T1, marked energy levels below unoccupied and electron occupy energy levels above EF.
Similarly, for T2 and T3
Concept of Fermi energy level:
a) Metal: It is the real energy level up to which electrons are occupied.
b) semiconductors, most of the time EF is not real energy level and it is placed for reference
within the band gap decided by temperature and semiconductor properties (doping).
Numerical
1) Find the probability of occupancy of energy state of value (a) 0.05 eV above Fermi
energy and b) 0.05 eV below EF. At T= 300K
𝐸−𝐸𝑓
a) 𝐾𝐵 𝑇
= 0.05/ (8.6 × 10-5 × 300) = 1.932
1
𝐹𝐷 = = 0.126 = 12.6%
exp(1.932) + 1
b)
1
𝐹𝐷 = = 0.873 = 87.3%
exp(−1.932) + 1
2) In a solid consider the energy level lying 0.11eV below the Fermi level. Find the probability of
this level not being occupied by the electron?
