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

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

The electrons then fall back into the valence band and become worthless in terms of electricity generation.

From Science Daily

An excited electron also leaves a hole in the underlying valence band -- a mobile vacancy that can be moved through the material like a positive charge carrier.

From Science Daily

The team used a laser to create a cloud of excitons at a corner of the pyramid's base, bouncing electrons out of the valence band of a semiconductor into the conduction band -- but the negatively charged electrons are still attracted to the positively charged holes left behind in the valence band.

From Science Daily