Band Gap Engineering

Band gap engineering involves modifying a material’s electronic properties to control how it conducts electricity. In semiconductors, the band gap is the energy difference between electrons that can freely move (conduction band) and those bound within atoms (valence band). By adding impurities, changing composition, or altering structure, scientists can adjust this gap to optimize performance for specific applications like faster electronics or efficient solar cells. Essentially, it’s a precise way of tailoring materials at the atomic level to achieve desired electrical behaviors, enabling the development of advanced electronic and optoelectronic devices.