The Fermi level is a fundamental concept in solid-state physics, representing the energy level at which, at absolute zero temperature, the probability of finding an electron is exactly 50% in a system of fermions, obeying Fermi-Dirac statistics.
At absolute zero, electrons fill energy levels up to the Fermi level in a material. It acts as a reference point, dividing occupied electron energy states (below the Fermi level) from unoccupied states (above the Fermi level). This level is crucial in determining a material’s electronic properties, including its conductivity and behavior in response to external stimuli like temperature and doping.
In semiconductors, the position of the Fermi level relative to the bandgap determines whether the material behaves as an insulator, semiconductor, or conductor. Manipulating the Fermi level through doping or external conditions can significantly impact a material’s electrical behavior, making it a key consideration in electronic device design and semiconductor physics.
