valence band

American  

[vay-luhns band] / ˈveɪ ləns ˌbænd /

noun

1. Physics. an energy band in a solid material in which the valence electrons cannot move freely enough to carry electric current. Compare conduction band.

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valence band British  

noun

1. See energy band

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valence band Scientific  

1. The outermost electron shell of atoms in an insulator or semiconductor, in which the electrons are too tightly bound to the atom to carry electric current.

2. Compare conduction band See also bandgap

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Example Sentences

Excitons form inside semiconductors when electrons absorb energy and jump from their resting state in the valence band to a higher energy state in the conduction band.

From Science Daily • Jan. 22, 2026

In a solar cell, electrons are dislodged by photons and raised to a higher energy level from the valence band to the conduction band.

From Science Daily • Jan. 10, 2024

Semiconductors conduct electricity when “moderate” amounts of energy are provided to move electrons out of the valence band and into the conduction band.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

In order to conduct electricity, electrons must move from the filled valence band to the empty conduction band where they can move throughout the solid.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

Grain boundaries are typically copper-poor in CIGSSe devices relative to the grain interiors, which modifies the valence band offset such that the boundaries repel holes and recombination is reduced.

From Nature • Aug. 15, 2012