bandgap

American  

[band-gap] / ˈbændˌgæp /

noun

bandgaps plural

1. Physics. the energy difference between the valence band and the conduction band in a solid, representing the range of energies that electrons cannot occupy and therefore cannot use to conduct electricity. The bandgap is greatest in insulators, smaller in semiconductors, and nonexistent in metals.

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bandgap Scientific  

/ bănd′găp′ /

1. The difference in energy in a substance between electron orbitals in which the electrons are not free to move (the valence band) and orbitals in which they are relatively free and will carry a current (the conduction band). In semiconductors, some electrons are sustained in the conduction band by thermal energy. Energy released when an electron in the conduction band falls into a hole in the valence band is called bandgap radiation.

2. See also hole semiconductor laser

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• sub-bandgap
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• bandgaps
  plural

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bandgap bandgaps

By adjusting their chemical makeup, scientists can control the wavelengths of light the crystals absorb and emit, a property known as the bandgap.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 31, 2026

"I feel confident that what we have demonstrated here, coupled with a very efficient low bandgap PV cell, has very promising potential," Naik said.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 21, 2024

Both materials have semiconducting properties like silicon, but unlike silicon, they can also withstand high temperatures and radiation because of their wide electronic bandgap and high atomic binding energy.

From Scientific American ● Oct. 23, 2023

Wide bandgap, or WBG, semiconductors are advantageous in power electronics because they can move more power more efficiently.

From New York Times ● May 16, 2022

Silicon carbide differs from silicon in that it has a wide bandgap, meaning that it requires more energy to switch between the two states.

From New York Times ● May 16, 2022

These organic solar cells consist of front and rear subcells with varying bandgaps, enabling broader absorption and use of the solar spectrum.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 8, 2024

This setup enables greater flexibility in selecting the bandgaps of each cell of the tandem, thereby optimizing photon absorption and enhancing the overall efficiency of solar energy production.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 8, 2024

For the MEG studies, the hydrazine-treated devices allowed for the use of larger QD sizes with smaller bandgaps, facilitating the ability to study high-energy photons relative to the bandgap.

From Science Magazine ● Dec. 15, 2011