Fermi-Dirac distribution

The Fermi-Dirac distribution describes how particles known as fermions—like electrons—occupy energy levels in systems at thermal equilibrium, particularly in metals and semiconductors. It accounts for the principle that two identical fermions cannot occupy the same energy state, a concept known as the Pauli exclusion principle. The distribution shows that at low temperatures, fermions tend to fill the lowest available energy states, while at higher temperatures, more states can be occupied, leading to a gradual change in energy distribution. This helps explain the behavior of electrons in materials, influencing their electrical and thermal properties.