HOT ELECTRON Meaning and
Definition
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A hot electron refers to an energetic or high-energy electron that possesses a significantly higher level of kinetic energy than the surrounding particles in a material or system. This term is commonly used in the context of solid-state physics and electronic devices.
When a material is subjected to an external excitation, such as intense light or electrical current, it can lead to the generation of hot electrons. These electrons gain excess energy, which is typically higher than the average thermal energy in the system. The excess energy can arise due to various processes, including photon absorption, impact ionization, or electron-electron scattering.
Hot electrons exhibit distinct properties due to their elevated kinetic energy. They move rapidly within the material, traveling longer distances before scattering with other particles. This increased mobility often makes them the primary carriers of electrical current in certain applications, such as in hot carrier solar cells or high-frequency transistors.
Furthermore, the presence of hot electrons can influence the overall behavior and performance of electronic devices. The excess energy of hot electrons may result in various phenomena, including hot carrier injection, impact ionization, or the generation of secondary electron-hole pairs. As a consequence, hot electrons play a crucial role in determining the efficiency, speed, and response of electronic devices.
Understanding and harnessing the properties of hot electrons are fundamental to advancing technologies in areas like photovoltaics, optoelectronics, and high-speed electronics.
Common Misspellings for HOT ELECTRON
- got electron
- bot electron
- not electron
- jot electron
- uot electron
- yot electron
- hit electron
- hkt electron
- hlt electron
- hpt electron
- h0t electron
- h9t electron
- hor electron
- hof electron
- hog electron
- hoy electron
- ho6 electron
- ho5 electron
- hot wlectron
- hot slectron
Etymology of HOT ELECTRON
The word "hot electron" is a compound phrase formed from "hot" and "electron".
The term "hot" in this context refers to the increased kinetic energy of the electron. It is borrowed from the colloquial understanding of "hot" as being associated with increased energy or activity.
The word "electron" comes from the Latin word "electron", which means amber. The ancient Greeks discovered the peculiar properties of amber, such as its ability to attract lightweight objects when rubbed. This property, known as static electricity, led to the understanding of the basic unit of electric charge, which was named after amber, as "electron".
Therefore, "hot electron" combines the concept of increased energy or activity ("hot") with the fundamental subatomic particle carrying negative charge ("electron") to describe an electron with higher kinetic energy.
