Electrical conduction in solids

Overview

ABSTRACT

Conduction in solid metals and semiconductors impacts a very wide range of applications in microelectronics, metallurgy and thermometry. Microscopic or macroscopic mechanisms are responsible for the electrical transport in these solids and the associated physical properties. The understanding of these phenomena, notably through a statistical approach, is essential to the optimization of the use of such materials at all temperatures, up to extreme conditions. This article focuses on the study of the behavior of a set of charged particles removed from their equilibrium position by the application of an external electric field. Their behavior under the influence of a magnetic field or a temperature gradient is also observed.

Read this article from a comprehensive knowledge base, updated and supplemented with articles reviewed by scientific committees.

Read the article

AUTHORS

Olivier BOURGEOIS: Doctorate in Condensed Matter Physics - Researcher at the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS)
Hervé Guillou: Doctorate in Condensed Matter Physics - Senior lecturer at Joseph Fourier University, Grenoble - Researcher at LIMMS/CNRS-IIS

INTRODUCTION

Conduction in solids (metals, semiconductors) has a very wide range of applications in microelectronics, thermometry and metallurgy. Understanding the mechanisms (microscopic or macroscopic in origin) responsible for electrical transport in these solids, and the associated physical properties, is an essential prerequisite for optimizing the use of these materials at all temperatures.

We're going to study the behavior of a set of charged particles knocked out of their equilibrium position by the application of an external electric field. We are also studying the influence of a magnetic field or temperature gradient on their behavior.

After having introduced and given the elementary theories in a first dossier [D 2 601] , we tackle here the most modern aspects of electron transport properties in a statistical way.