Scribd
Upload
6K views

Fermi Distribution Function, Effect of Temperature On Fermi Function

The Fermi-Dirac distribution function describes the probability of finding an electron in a particular energy state as a function of temperature. It includes the Fermi energy (EF), which is the highest energy level electrons can occupy at absolute zero. [1] At 0K, electrons completely fill states below EF and no states above are filled. [2] At 0K and E=EF, the probability is 50% the state is filled. [3] As temperature increases above 0K, the probability of electrons occupying higher energy states increases as well.

Uploaded by

jainam sharma
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
6K views

Fermi Distribution Function, Effect of Temperature On Fermi Function

The Fermi-Dirac distribution function describes the probability of finding an electron in a particular energy state as a function of temperature. It includes the Fermi energy (EF), which is the highest energy level electrons can occupy at absolute zero. [1] At 0K, electrons completely fill states below EF and no states above are filled. [2] At 0K and E=EF, the probability is 50% the state is filled. [3] As temperature increases above 0K, the probability of electrons occupying higher energy states increases as well.

Uploaded by

jainam sharma
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

FERMI – DIRAC DISTRIBUTION FUNCTION

Statement
It is an expression for the distribution of electrons among the energy
levels as a function of temperature, the probability of finding an electron
in a particular energy state of energy E is given by

1
F(E) =
⎛ E − EF ⎞
1 + exp ⎜ ⎟
⎝ K BT ⎠

Where, EF - Fermi energy (highest energy level of an electron)


KB - Boltzmann’s constant
T - Absolute temperature

Effect of Temperature on Fermi Function


Case 1:
AT =
0 K and E < EF
1 1
=
1 + exp (-∞) 1 + 0
F(E) =
F(E) = 1= 100 %
It means that 100% probability for the electrons to occupy the energy level
below the Fermi energy level.
Case 2:
AT = 0 K and E > E F

1 1 1
F(E) = = = =0
1 + exp (∞) 1 + ∞ ∞
Case 3 :
At T > 0K and E = EF
1 1 1
F(E) = = = = 0.5
1 + exp (0) 1 + 1 2
F(E) = 0.5 = 50%
It means that 50% probability for the electrons to occupy the Fermi energy
level. (above Fermi energy level are empty and below Fermi energy level are filled).
At 0 K energy states above E F are empty and below E F are filled.

(a)At T=0K (b) at T>0K


Fermi Dirac distribution function

Fermi level, Fermi Energy and their importance


These are defined as the highest energy level filled by the electrons in that energy
level with higher energy values.
Fermi level : The Fermi level is the highest reference energy level of
a particle at absolute zero.
Importance : It is the reference energy level which separates the filled
energy levels and vacant energy levels.
Fermi energy (EF) : The Fermi energy is the maximum energy of the quantum
state corresponding to Fermi energy level at absolute
zero.
Importance : Fermi energy determines the energy of the particle at
any temperature.

You might also like